Abu Dhabi: Eric Lemartinel is double-handed with RB Burn and RB Dixie Burning as he eyes a second Dubai Kahayla Classic on Saturday.
The Frenchman, who trains for the Al Asayl Stables for the last two seasons, had earlier saddled Mizzna to win the Purebred Arabian Showpiece in 2008.
RB Burn, who runs in the silks of Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, will be the leading fancy for Lemartinel but he hasn’t ruled out the chances of his second entry RB Dixie Burning in the colours of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
RB Burn, the five-year-old son of Majd Al Arab, made a winning local debut when he won the world’s richest race for Purebred Arabian contest, the €1.2 million Group 1 Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown run over 1600m at the capital’s racetrack on November.
However, he was runner up behind the 2016 Kahayla Classic winner AF Mathmoon in his next start in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 on the dirt at the Meydan Racecourse. He came off that defeat to record an impressive win in his most recent start, the 1400m Group 1 Liwa Oasis, back on the capital’s turf three weeks ago.
“I think he is in better condition now and he has got quality going for the Kahayla,” said Lemartinel, whose horse had been drawn on Gate 7 in the Post Position draw.
“I have no issues with the draw but if he can be moved to a good position early in the race should be a key,” revealed Lemartinel adding, “It is better to be in the inside than to be on the outside.”
Gerald Avranche, who has ridden RB Burn in all his three local starts, retains the ride. “The Kahayla has been RB Burn’s main objective ever since he won the Jewel Crown. He has been prepared with this race in mind and going goes into it on the back of a good win in the Liwa Oasis. I’m sure he has benefited from his last start,” said Avranche, who is yet to register a win in World Cup card race.
Lemartinel was of the view that all the horses that were expected are in the race but thinks AF Mathmoon will be the horse to beat.
“There are quite a few horses with strong claims I would place RB Burn and RB Dixie Burning in the same bracket.”
RB Dixie Burning has won four of her six starts this season and Lemartinel thinks he was unlucky when finishing fifth behind Handassa in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round Three at Meydan over the Kahayla distance.
“She (RB Dixie Burning) didn’t get a clear run in that race, still she ran well to finish fifth just over four lengths behind the winner.”
RB Dixie Burning was a runner-up to Faucon Du Loup in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round Two. Tadhg O’Shea, the four-time UAE champion jockey was a top in three of her four victories, has opted to ride Lemartinel’s seven-year-old bay mare over his Grandstand stables AF Maqayes.
The Irishman’s move gives a clear indication of the chances of Lemartinel’s second runner.
