Monsarrat and Galles lead Sandeep Jadhav's bid for Meydan success

First event of the season at the Dubai racecourse has seven races scheduled to take place, with action beginning from 6.30pm

Horse racing action returns to Meydan for the first time in the 2018-19 season at Meydan on Thursday. AFP

Sandeep Jadhav is confident he can build on his good start to the UAE racing season with more success at Meydan on Thursday.

The Indian trainer had High On Life win at Jebel Ali on Friday and he has high hopes that Montsarrat and Galles can be at the front for the first event of the 2018-19 campaign at the racecourse in Dubai.

His pair feature in the night's main race in Dubai, a 2,000m distance on dirt for horses rated 85-105, with a prize fund of Dh210,000.

Montsarrat, who will be ridden by Royston Ffrench, has won twice in his eight local starts, over 2,200m at Meydan and then the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes.

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Galles is opposing his stable companion with Xavier Ziani retaining the ride. Interconnection under the UAE champion jockey Tadhg O’Shea is Jadhav’s other runner.

“In reality, Montsarrat and Galles are our strongest chances in a competitive race,” said Jadhav.

“We could not be happier with them at home and it was great to get off the mark last week in my first full season as trainer at Fazza Stables."

The UAE champion trainer Doug Watson has four entered in the race headed by Mizba, who will be ridden by Pat Dobbs.

Dehbashi, a winner of four races and only once out of the top three in 13 local starts, and Street Of Dreams and Active Spirit, complete the Red Stables’ entries.

“Pat had a tough choice, probably to choose between Mizbah and Street Of Dreams, who we hope will have a good season,” said Watson.

“All four of mine are in good shape. Hopefully, we have four live chances in an open race.”

Ali Rashid Al Raihe is also double handed in the race with last year’s winner Trinity Force with new stable jockey Ronan Whelan on board and Key Bid under Fernando Jara.

“They are both are in good form at home and expect big runs in their first starts in the season,” said the Grandstand Stables trainer.

“Key Bid works well on the dirt, but is racing on it for the first time, whereas Trinity Force is proven on the surface.

“Trinity Force won first time out last season so we believe he has a chance when fresh.”

There are seven races in total at Meydan on Thursday, with the action beginning at 6.30pm and the final race due off at 10pm.

Elsewhere, Abu Dhabi will stage their first meeting on Saturday, consisting of five races for Purebred Arabians and the concluding race for the thoroughbreds.

The feature event of the six-race card is the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup Prep for Purebred Arabians.