Jebel Ali Classic caps domestic season
dubai — The final meeting of the UAE domestic season at Jebel Ali on Friday is highlighted by the second running of the 1400m Jebel Ali Classic (Silver Jubilee), sponsored by Shadwell Farm, the US arm of the breeding empire of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance
The world famous blue and white silks of the sponsor will be carried by both Taamool and Shaishee with Dane O’Neill, retained by the owner, opting to ride the former for Ali Rashid Al Rayhi. He made his local debut on the opening night of the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival, finishing fifth in the 1600m Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 and has run five times subsequently. Those efforts include finishing fourth in both the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint and the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile, when he seemed perfectly at home on the surface and unique Jebel Ali undulations.
Meanwhile, Musabbeh Al Mheiri saddles Shaishee, the mount of apprentice Saeed Al Mazrooei and still the 1400m Jebel Ali track record holder, a mark he set in January 2014. That was one of his two course and distance victories, the second achieved in the equivalent race to this, before it was renamed, in 2016. This will be just his fourth race of the season, the most recent of which was a fourth, over this track an trip, two weeks ago.
Doug Watson, confirmed last week as UAE Champion Trainer for the sixth time and third consecutive year, won the inaugural running of this race last year with Shamaal Nibras. He was set to defend his crown before receiving an invitation to contest the $1 million Godolphin Mile sponsored by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City – District One (G2) on the Dubai World Cup card next Saturday, but the American expat still appears to have a strong hand with both Cosmo Charlie and The great collection among the 12 runners declared.
Winner of the 1900m Listed Al Bastakiya on Super Saturday last year, Cosmo Charlie made a winning return this season in a 1600m conditions race at Meydan in November. He has run some good races in defeat since and should appreciate this drop in grade.