Dubai: Thoroughbreds take centre stage at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club’s third meeting of the new campaign on Sunday with the maximum field of 14 set to face the starter in the 2200m Al Reem Island handicap.
Four represent in-form handler Satish Seemar with stable jockey, Richard Mullen, aboard Pupil who caught the attention of many when staying on strongly in a better race over 1600m at Abu Dhabi last Sunday.
That was a very pleasing effort but it should be noted his only career victory, after 25 starts, was a 1600m Doncaster juvenile maiden when trained by Richard Hannon Snr.
This will be his first attempt at 2200m but he seemed to stay the stamina sapping 1950m at Jebel Ali so it should be within his compass.
The stable’s apprentice jockey, Cameron Noble, partners Maysoor, a very interesting new recruit to the UAE who won once in his native Australia.
Stamina should not be an issue and his previous trainer, Mick Price, considered him good enough to take his chance in the Group 1 South Australian Derby, in which he was eighth, in May 2015.
Meanwhile UAE Champion Jockey, Tadhg O’Shea, has a long association with Thistle Bloodstock, owner of Carbon Dating, so it is no surprise to see him on that mount, another of the Seemar quartet which is completed by Rassam who will be partnered by Adrie de Vries.
“We have four nice horses in the race,” said Bhupat Seemar, assistant to Satish. “Pupil ran very well last week when he was flying home having missed the break.
“We were very pleased with that run and we expect him to go close on Sunday.
“Rassam also ran in that same race and was staying on well so we hope the extra distance will suit him.
“Maysoor is a new horse from Australia and has been working well. We think he is a good recruit for the season ahead.
“Carbon Dating was with us last season and had a wind operation before running in Europe over the summer. He won at Hamilton over 2200m trip and will have benefited from his run at Meydan two weeks ago.
“Basically, a case can be made for all our four and, with luck in running, they should be there or thereabouts.”
Doug Watson also has high hopes and saddles two with Pat Dobbs electing to ride UAE debutant, Resonant and Sam Hitchcott aboard Alkawn who had one local start last season.
“They are two nice horses and both seem in good form,” said Watson.
“Alkawn we are trying over a longer trip than he has faced before but we hope he will stay and he has won on fast ground in England.
“Resonant is in really good shape and we have waited for a turf opportunity for him. Sadly, we could not get him on the track last season after a few niggles but we hope he can reward our patience this season.”
Colm O’Donoghue has his first ride as stable jockey for Ahmad bin Harmash and will be hoping to make the perfect start aboard Snow Squall with Xavier Ziani aboard stable companion, Handsome Man.
Dane O’Neil has the choice of four runners owned by his employer, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
These include the aforementioned Alkawn but it is Mustahdaf, trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, who receives the jockey’s vote of confidence.
