(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Top runners set for Zabeel Race at Jebel Ali racecourse on Friday
Mirza Al Sayegh (right) Sharief Al Halawani and Julian Thick at the press conference on Wednesday. — Supplied photo
Dubai: A quality field of nine runners has been declared to make the lineup for the Jebel Ali Mile Group-3 the second of the season’s major three events at the hillyb track in the seventh meeting ‘Zabeel Race’ at the Jebel Ali racecourse here on Friday.
Silver Galaxy returns to the track in the Jebel Ali Mile Gr-3 the highlight of the afternoon in a bid to bounce back after having disappointed in the Jebel Ali Stakes a fortnight ago.
Silvestre De Sousa who would be in the saddle looked confident that Silver Galaxy has every chance to improve over last run after losing his shoe in the final stages of the race and still finished one length behind the leading pair in third place.
And with the winner of the Stakes Jutland skipping the Mile Satish Seemar saddles runner up in that race Mawhub hoping that he will go one better this time out in the hands of regular partner Richard Mullen.
“At least we knew his distance” Seemar said after Mawhub was narrowly beaten by Jutland in the 1950m distance two weeks ago. “I think the mile will be his best trip” he said.
Meanwhile the Jebel Ali-based trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam is hoping that defending champion Forjatt will live up to the expectations and retain the title which he has won last year.
Elsewhere leading American trainer Doug Watson and his retained jockey Patrick Dobbs have attended the press conference. Watson is represented in the feature race with Shamaal Nibras a winner over a shorter distance at the same course last time out.
“Shamaal Nibras and Storm Belt are among the best horse in the yard” Watson said. “We have some good horses and recently the yard has received interesting new comers” he added.
With plenty in store for the racegoers at the outskirts of the city including 130 valuable prizes which will be drawn before and during the race the management of the Family Racecourse has also provided a 2015 model brand new car to be raffled after the final race against tickets for nominal value of Dh10 each. “We would like to welcome once again the faithful fans at their home track on Friday to enjoy the excitement of the sport and spend a lovely afternoon with plenty on offer on and off the track” said the racecourse manager Sharif Al Halawani.
“The popular pick-six and double-cast competitions involve Dh63000 to be won by the lucky contenders” he said.
Al Halwani thanked the partners of the venue for their continued support and backing for the sport of the kings.
“I would like to thank once again Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance; for his directives to sponsor the full day of the Zabeel race through his European and American operation arms Shadwell and Derrinstown Stud alongside the Newbury Racecourse UK the sponsors of the sixth and final race on the card” he said.
Mirza Al Sayegh director of the office of Shaikh Hamdan reiterated their determination and strong desire to promote Jebel Ali races which they believe are the best test for their horses before returning to Europe for the summer campaign.
Julian Thick chief executive of Newbury Racecourse UK said: “At Newbury we have had a busy and successful year with our housing and infrastructure development starting to gather real momentum excellent racing supported by increased crowds.
“We are proud to be staging more Arabian races than any other course in the UK and we are looking forward especially to Dubai International Arabian Race Day on July 26 the highest of our Arabian racing season which also gives this wonderful sport a major focal point in the European calendar” he added.
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