Jebel Ali set to stage first meeting of 2019

abu dhabi — Jebel Ali stage their first meeting of 2019 on Friday afternoon, a seven-race card officially highlighted by a 1000m conditions race that is restricted to 3-year-olds. Thirteen have declared, of whom only the penalised Eyelool has won. Trained on the Jebel Ali track for racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum by Nicholas Bachalard, the gelded son of Dragon Pulse will be making his local debut, having won two of his five starts in Britain for William Haggas. Victorious over 1400m, in a maiden on turf at Epsom in July, he bade farewell to the UK by winning a 1600m nursery handicap on the Kempton all-weather in September and is running over the minimum trip for the first time.

However, stable jockey Chris Hayes elects to partner Salayel, who is one of four fillies in the race and well beaten on her only start, three weeks ago, in a 1600m fillies’ maiden at Meydan. Purchased for €200,000 last May from the Goresbridge Breeze-Up, the Bated Breath filly is a half-sister to the very useful Bellamy Road, winner of the 2005 Grade 1 Wood Memorial, on dirt, at Aqueduct.

“Salayel was a bit disappointing at Meydan,” Bachalard said. “She probably needed the run more than we thought and it was a new experience with the lights and everything, so hopefully—in an environment she knows—she can run better. This is a good opportunity to try Eyelool on the dirt. If he does not seem to handle it we will look for turf options with him.”

The New Maharaja made a winning debut in this race last year for Satish Seemar, who saddles three this time. Richard Mullen has opted to ride Refulgence Star, making his UAE bow after three outings in Ireland for Willie McCreery. Owned by Yu Long, he is a gelded son of Fast Company and cost €50,000 as a yearling. He produced his best effort on his most recent outing, over 1600m, on heavy ground at Listowel.