Sharjah: The Sharjah Equestrian Club stages its third meeting of the season on Saturday featuring five Arabian races and a maiden event for thoroughbreds.

The pick of the day is the 2,000 metre Sharjah International Book Fair Handicap, which sees the Ernst Oertel-trained Bedayer Al Asayl bidding for back-to-back victories at the course following her rousing win over the highly-regarded Fantastique MHF last week.

“She has done nothing wrong so far,” said stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea. “She showed signs of inexperience when winning two weeks ago so hopefully there is more to come.

“That form looks strong after the win of the runner-up last week so we have to be very hopeful she can improve again and go very close.”

The Elise Jeanne-trained MH Areeb heads the weights under Harry Bentley and the jockey said: “At least he is proven on the track.

“It looks a decent little race but hopefully he will be at least competitive.”

Local apprentice Saeed Al Mazrouei rides Majid Al Jahouri’s Laahaq, a former course winner, who looks to hold genuine claims.

Oertel and O’Shea also combine with Al Yawazi who looks the one they will all have to beat in the concluding Library Conference Activities Handicap, 1,700 metre conditions race for UAE bred horses.

The winner over course and distance last December, Al Yawazi makes her first start since she was seen chasing home stable companion Fatat Al Arab on that occasion.

O’Shea said: “She looks another decent chance for us. The horses are running well and the yard normally have them fit enough to do themselves justice first time out.”

Jaber Bittar has three in the race and appears to supply the main opposition with Bayan, the mount of Richard Mullen and Farooq, to be ridden by Dane O’Neill, looking best of his trio. Preference would be for the latter, a maiden winner under these conditions just over a year ago.

The only Thoroughbred race on the card is a 1,200 metre maiden and Athman, representing Satish Seemar and Richard Mullen, has to be feared on his seasonal bow. Stable apprentice, Marc Monaghan, rides stablemate and local debutant Timeless War who could prove a big danger, along with Mr Churchill.

Wayne Smith rides the last named for his main employer, Esmail Mohammad.