Carnival scorers bid to steal the show at Jebel Ali
TOP CLEARANCE AND MUNAASER UP AGAINST COURSE WINNER DIWAAN
wo former Carnival scorers, Top Clearance and Munaaser, are set to take on five rivals, among them course winner Diwaan, in what looks an open Shadwell Farm-sponsored feature race at Jebel Ali Racecourse today.
Trained on the track by veteran handler Dhruba Selvaratnam, the former American-based Top Clearance makes his Jebel Ali debut after nine starts at Meydan where he hit the bulls eye in January last year.
Although he has never been tested in a race up the hill, his handler is confident that he will handle the conditions and give a good account of himself.
“He works well on the surface so that should not be an issue,” said Selvaratnam. “He has perhaps been a bit disappointing but this looks a good opportunity for him and we have to be hopeful.”
The race is sponsored by Shadwell Farm, the American arm of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance’s breeding empire, who is represted by three runners.
Shaikh Hamdan’s first jockey, Jim Crowley, elects to ride the Ali Rashid Al Rahietrained Munaaser who won at the 2016 Carnival last January, but has not added to that success since.
He was fifth in the Group 1 Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge on Super Saturday last year at Meydan and was seventh on his course debut two weeks ago in the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes.
“He ran very well for a long way last time,” said Crowley. “He is a smart performer as we know and we think he will be thereabouts.”
Oasis 1 Stables’ Maria Ritchie saddles her first runners as a licensed trainer and is responsible for both of Shaikh Hamdan’s two other runners, Nolohay and Muzdawaj, in the feature.
Shaikh Hamdan’s second jockey, Dane O’Neill,rides Muzdawaj, a winner for William Haggas when trained in the UK, while Fernando Jara partners Nolohay.
Watson’s bets
Just A Penny and Diwaan both represent Doug Watson, with stable jockey Pat Dobbs on the former who was a winner at this tracks 12 months ago.
Just A Penny won four times at Jebel Ali last season, but does not retain that winning form this term, while Sam Hotchcott takes the ride on Diwaanwho has finished second on his two most recent outings.
“Jebel Ali suits them both and they are in good form at home,” said Watson. “We have been keen to try Just A Penny over a bit further and this looks the ideal opportunity. Hopefully he can break well as he has been a bit slow starting the last couple of times.
“Diwaan we know stays well and has already been second and third over course and distance his season. Hopefully they each have a decent chance in an open looking contest.”
The field is completed by the Satish Seemar-trained Royal Revival who will be looking to bounce back to winning form.
Today’s card also features four competitive looking handicaps and a maiden race.
Races sponsors include Tomcreech Creech INC, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Arabian Scandinavian Insurance Company, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and SIS.