Dubai: Muarrab and Jutland, winners of last season’s Jebel Ali Sprint and Jebel Ali Stakes respectively, are sure to be the star attractions when Jebel Ali Racecourse hosts its National Day-flavoured meeting on Friday.
Trained by Musabah Al Muhairi, the reigning UAE champion handler, Muarrab is being prepared for a defence of his Sprint title and would be using the contest as a launch pad for that target.
A talented sprinter with a superior natural speed the six-year-old son of Oasis Dream faces just three rivals as he makes his seasonal debut in a conditions event over 1200 metres, a furlong more than his Sprint victory in March this year. However, that should not pose any problems as he is equally effective over the longer trip having won over that distance on four occasions.
He is the choice of Dane O’Neill, retained rider to Muarrab’s owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, who is also responsible for two other runners in the four-horse race, this season’s winner Nawwaar and the debutant Taayel.
United Color, a two-time winner at Meydan, but luckless at Jebel Ali, opposes the Shaikh Hamdan trio.
O’Neill singled out Muarrab as his ‘standout’ ride on the afternoon and explained why.
“He loves it at Jebel Ali,” said the Dublin-born jockey. “He has plenty of natural ability, but when he hits that hill he really strides out and it just suits him so well.
“It will be disappointing if he does not at least go very close,” he said.
Taayel, Muarrab’s stable companion who was previously trained by John Gosden in the UK, will be having his first start in 783 days. Fernando Jara takes the ride.
Nawwaar impressed his handler Ali Rashid Al Raihe when posting a three-length victory over course and distance winner two weeks ago.
“Our horses have made a good start to the season,” said the former champion. “Nawwaar won well last time and is in very good form at home. We’re looking forward to see how he performs against top horses like Muarrab.
United Color has been beaten by Muarrab on both occasions that they clashed at Jebel Ali and his trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam believes he ‘will improve for the run’ while acknowledging that ‘Muarrab will be very hard to beat.’
Run over 1950m in each of the last two seasons, the equivalent race was won in previous years by Farrier, who prevailed in 2013, and Jutland, a winner 12 months ago.
Trained by Doug Watson, Jutland won the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes over 1950m in March, and has notched five course wins including a pair over Friday’s 1800m.
“He is fit and well,” said Watson. “This looks the ideal spot for his return to action and he should run a big race.”
Champion jockey Richard Mullen partners the Satish Seemar-trained Farrier while stable apprentice Hector Crouch will ride stable companion Mawhub.
“Both go well at Jebel Ali and are in good form at home,” said Mullen.”The horses are running well so they should give a good account of themselves.”
Dormello is an interesting runner for Selvaratnam who said: “He missed one piece of work so may just need this. Jutland looks the one to beat with the Watson team flying.”
GN Selections
Jebel Ali Racecourse
Race Horse
1. 1. Binsabt; 2. Tadarrok.
2. 1. Ukrainian; 2. Amaan.
3. 1. Jutland; 2. Farrier.
4. 1. Al Razi; 2. Art Wave.
5. 1. Muarrab; 2. Nawwaar.
6. 1. Mushaakis; 2. Initial.
Day’s Best: Muarrab.
