Stablemates Sha’Red and Areem to duel again at Abu Dhabi

Trainer Majed Al Jahouri will set stablemates Sha'Red and Areem out against each other for Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed in the fifth race at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club. Razan Alzayani / The National

Sha’Red and Areem clash in a rematch, but whoever wins the Dh500,000 Group 1 Liwa Oasis prize on Sunday at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club makes no difference to connections as both are trained by Majed Al Jahouri for his principal patron, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed.

In their last meeting in the G2 Liwa Oasis, Sha’Red collared his stable companion in the last few strides to win the 1,000-metre sprint.

The pair are expected to go close again over the extended 1,400m distance on Sunday night in the fifth race on the seven-race card.

Areem has yet to win in five starts this season but Al Jahouri said the seven-year-old bay son of Mahabb is getting close to regaining the form that won him four Group 1 prizes in the past two years.

“He’s not run that badly except in his last start on the dirt at Meydan,” the Emirati said. “I think the return to the turf will suit his style of running. Anyway, it doesn’t matter which horse will win as long as it’s one of mine.

Sha’Red looks the favourite on the back of his victory in four starts this season and will be ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, who was onboard Areem when the seven year old ba son of Mahabb won this race 12 months ago.

In the main supporting race, Shaheer will attempt to complete the Arabian Triple Crown double when returning a week after winning the middle leg of the three-race series for four year olds.

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