O’neill hopes to goad Mustahdaf to go one better in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club host the third and final meeting of the UAE racing weekend on Saturday with a six race card, highlighted by a 2200m handicap, the ixture’s only Thoroughbred race.

It has attracted the maximum field allowed of 14, including Mustahdaf, second in the same race last year and one of four in this year’s renewal owned by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the choice of his retained jockey, Dane O’neill.

Trained by Maria Ritchie, he has yet to win in the UAE after 10 attempts but does have three Abu Dhabi runners-up finishes on his CV, including in this on his seasonal bow last year so the fact he has not run for 432 days is not a great worry and he is well drawn in three.

Erwan Charpy saddles two of the other Sheikh Hamdan runners with stable jockey, Antonio Fresu aboard Munshid and Gerald Avranche riding Nafaqa, while the trainer also has a third contender in Spiritous, to be ridden by Paolo Sirigu.

The fourth Sheikh Hamdan runner, Ostaad, is trained by Doug Watson who also is responsible for three runners, the other pair being Empoli, along with Tried And True.

Pat Cosgrave, leading the way early on in the jockeys’ championship, rides Ostaad with Sam Hitchcott aboard Tried And True. However, Empoli, who will be making his debut for the yard, is the choice of stable jockey, Pat Dobbs and looks to hold serious claims.

He has not run since October 2016 but according to Doug Watson, has an undoubted touch of class.

Zambucca was a Group Two winner in his native South Africa just over five years ago but has not won since. Trained by Satish Seemar, he ran well on his seasonal return, here at Abu Dhabi over 1600m, three weeks ago and should be competitive under Richard Mullen.

In a wide open contest, Skygazer is another to consider with Tadhg O’shea riding for Ali Rashid Al Rayhi. This is his third start of the season but first on turf since winning in China as recently as April.

The former Champion Jockey appears to have serious claims aboard Molahen El Alhan in a 1600m handicap, the best of the Purebred Arabian action.

One of two in the race trained by Eric Lemartinel for President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, he has eight victories to his name, all bar one when ridden by O’shea. Gerald Avranche rides stablemate Deyaar.

Da’areen, trained by Saifaldin Deeb and the mount of Richard Mullen, along with Antonio Fresu aboard AF Al Jahed for Ernst Oertel, could be the main dangers.