ABU DHABI // Tadhg O’Shea will be out to consolidate his position in the jockey’s leaderboard when he rides in all six races on Sunday night at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
Richard Mullen, the four-time UAE champion jockey, relinquished the title last season but is back in the lead with 12 winners already – six ahead of closest challenger Pat Dobbs.
The Irishman’s best chances today are likely to come from the three Purebred Arabians – newcomer Howayim, Rb Rich Surprise and Eswarah – he rides for the Al Asayl Stables of trainer Eric Lemartinel.
O’Shea rides Af Maqayes in the opener and Mutual Force in the final race for the thoroughbreds, both for the Emirati trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe, for whom he is first choice jockey when not on duty for Al Asayl Stables.
The 2,200-metre handicap for thoroughbreds rated 74-89 is the most valuable race on the card and has drawn the maximum 14 entries.
Ismail Mohammed, who saddled two winners at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday to open his account for the season, is double-handed with Wintergreen and Counterglow in the race.
“Our runners tend to improve from their first run,” said stable jockey Wayne Smith, who returns after serving a ban and has chosen to ride Wintergreen.
“He ran very well when third over this course and distance two weeks ago. He should be spot on this week but does have a bit to find at the weights and could have been drawn [12] better. Counterglow is a nice horse but might just need the outing.”
The race in which Wintergreen was third was won by Ahmad bin Harmash-trained Blue Tiger’s Eye, drawn in Stall 2 with stable jockey Frederik Tylicki looking for a repeat.
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