Raaziq needs short memory to win Kahayla Classic at Dubai World Cup

Majed Al Jahouri’s hopes of winning back-to-back Kahayla Classics for his principal owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed were dealt double blows this season.

Firstly, Rabbah De Carrere, last year’s winner, had to have keyhole leg surgery and was forced to miss the entire season.

Then, just days before declarations, Thakif injured a knee and was ruled out for the Purebred Arabian showpiece and traditional opener of the Dubai World Cup card.

Thakif was unbeaten in three starts this season, winning the Group 3 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, and both the Group 1 National Day Cup and the HH President’s Cup.

“He emerged as the stable’s main hope after the setback we suffered from Rabbah’s surgery,” Al Jahouri said.

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“Thakif was training well and looked in great shape. There was a sudden change in him. He looked unhappy and unwell, and a veterinary test revealed he was suffering from a knee injury.

“It isn’t serious but enough to keep him out of the race. We are very disappointed because he was the horse with the best form from the local entries. It was very unfortunate that he had to miss the race he had been prepared for so well.

“But both horses are out of danger and hopefully we will have them back for next season.”

Al Jahouri is left with only Raaziq in the 15-runner field. The six-year-old chestnut son of Munjis was fourth in last year’s race, only a length and-a-half behind stable companion Rabbah De Carrere. Raaziq’s form in his past two starts has not been encouraging but he was runner-up in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 and 2 races to Bigg N Rich and Richlore respectively before those efforts.

He also finished fourth to Abu Alabyad in the HH President’s Cup Prep in Abu Dhabi two starts back but was subsequently disqualified under ERA Rules following a stewards inquiry.

“We have to forget his last two starts and wish he can reproduce something like his best on the night,” Al Jahouri said.

Raaziq had won the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 over the course and distance before his fourth-place finish in the Kahayla last year.

“He’s still a young horse and certainly there is more improvement to come from him. He’s prepared well and hopefully will run a big race for us,” the Al Wathba Stables trainer said.

Djainka Des Forges, last year’s runner-up, and Valiant Boy, trained in the United States for Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, both look strong candidates for the enhanced prize of US$1 million (Dh3.67m).

Djainka Des Forges attempts to win the prize for Qatar for the fourth time in the past six years.

Trainer Julian Smart, who has been successful twice in the race when he saddled Nez D’Or in 2002 and Jaafer for his current stable in 2010, and also has Taraf in the race, will be concerned at how the six-year-old chestnut mare will handle the dirt surface at Meydan at her first try.

Richard Mullen, crowned as the UAE champion jockey, is booked to ride Djainka Des Forges.

Mullen flew over to Doha to partner the mare in the Group 1 Emir’s Sword in which she finished second.

Valiant Boy arrives with an outstanding record of having won 10 of his past 11 starts, three of which were Grade 1 prizes.

Trained by Elizabeth Merryman and ridden by Joel Rosario the seven-year-old grey son of Darweesh has run all his races on dirt in the US since his move from France in 2012.

Other local runners with a chance are Versac PY, winner of the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 over the course and distance, along with the Abu Alabyad, Richlore, Its Far From Over and Bigg N Rich.

apassela@thenational.ae