Mujaazef Bidding To Claim Jebel Ali Feature For Sheikh Hamdan

Dane O’Neill Takes Ride on Course and Distance Winner

Mujaazef, owned by race sponsor, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is one of three runners at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday afternoon seeking to repeat their victories on the same card last year.

Trained by local champion, Ali Rashid Al Raihe, Mujaazef is one of four runners for the owner in the featured 1,400m conditions race, which carries the name of his Shadwell Farm (the USA branch of his breeding empire) he won 12 months ago.

Retained jockey, Dane O’Neill, takes the ride and the trainer, who also saddles course winner Alazeyab for Sheikh Hamdan and Omani-owned course and distance winner Five Cents, said: “All three seem in great form and proved last year they can go well fresh as they all won first up at Jebel Ali, where course form is always important.

“We have made a good start to the season and we are hoping all three run big races.”

Doug Watson is responsible for the sponsor’s other two runners with Quarter Latin returning from a 616 day lay-off joined by stable companion Ouqba who will be making his dirt debut on only his second local start having missed all of 2011 and Watson explained: “They are certainly both going to improve for this comeback but this looks a great starting place for them both. Quartier Latin is a Jebel Ali winner so the surface is not an issue and he is as fit as we can get him at home.

“We have only managed one run with Ouqba and this will be his third season here so it is nice to get him out again. He is a nice horse and seems to handle dirt well enough in his work. It is a strong heat though and it is just great to get them back on the track with a full season ahead with, hopefully, plenty of options for them.”

When Quarter Latin won at Jebel Ali back in February 2011 he was chased home by the re-opposing Otaared, trained on the track by Dhruba Selvaratnam for racecourse owner, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Otaared will be seeking his seventh course win, while one of his old adversaries, Atlantic Brave, is looking for his sixth Jebel Ali success.

Trainer Satish Seemar has also made a bright start to the season and relies on Escape Route, another regular in this type of race and four times a Jebel Ali winner, including twice over course and distance.

It really does look a cracking race.

Elsewhere on the card, the Selvaratnam-trained duo of Sarbola and Kessraa both won at the corresponding meeting last year and will be looking to repeat those wins in 1,900m and 1,400m handicaps respectively.

Kessraa’s opponents include the Seemar-trained Al Razi, whom he narrowly beat in this race last year and Myownway, trained by Al Raihe and, like Al Razi, already a winner at Jebel Ali this season

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Purebred Arabian racing returns to Jebel Ali for the first time this season with 15 declared for a maiden which opens proceedings.
The first race goes to post at 2.25pm, entrance is free.