Lucky qualifier Grant hoping of good show
Stage all set for Ladies World Championship in Capital today
abu dhabi — Eilidh Grant, the American amateur jockey, counts herself as fortunate to be riding in the final race of the Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship. She rides Bigg N Rich, one of the leading contenders in the 14-horse field, and presumably fancies her chances of winning the prestigious prize tonight at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
Out of the 14 finalists; 10 have qualified after winning in the previous rounds, one was promoted by default and three were selected by the organisers.
“I have finished fifth in the first round of the championship in Oman and later tried my luck in Poland and finished fourth. Luckily, the winner was disqualified and the second and third were already winners,” the American young lady said.
Grant will partner top weight Bigg N Rich, one of the three front runners for the title. Trained by Eric Lemartinel at the ADEC Lemartinel Stables in Abu Dhabi, the six-year-old son of Falina Des Fabries has never run a bad race and has every chance to impress should he manage to appreciate the wide draw.
Reports from the in-form stables of the Frenchman suggested that Bigg N Rich is working very well and Grant said she was delighted after her exercise ride on Saturday morning.
Eleven apprentices take part in HH Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak EARS Apprentice Jockey Race, a 2200m conditions event. The local representative, Saeed Al Mazrooei, seeking his 11th UAE winner, appears to have fared well in the draw and rides Omani raider, Mudalal.
Al Mazrooei said: “It is a great privilege to represent the UAE here at Abu Dhabi and hopefully we will go very close as he is a decent horse.”
Manisha, a close third behind Takaamul over distance and course last time out will be the one to beat. The Ernst Oertel-trained at Al Asayel Stables will be partnered by Bayarsaikhan Ganbat from Germany and will break from the Gate eight.In the final round of the Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, the fifth race on the card, Albar Lotois looks good to win the Prestige event for trainer Eric Lemartinel and jockey Gerald Avranche.
Avranche said: “Albar Lotois has been a great servant to the yard and this is a good race to start him off as he is probably better over further now.”
Last year’s winner, Areem was saddled by Majed Al Jahouri who has three in the race this year, including Thakif, just touched off in the Group 1 Liwa Oasis on his final start last season. He is the mount of Dane O’Neill, while stable companion and local debutant, Rabbah De Carrere, having only his third career start, should not be underestimated under Royston Ffrench.
On his best form, the Saifaldin Deeb-trained Sahib Du Clos, a multiple Group 1 winner, would go close but he disappointed last season.
Racing concludes with another 1600m Prestige contest, the HH Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies’ World Championship (IFAHR) and 14 are set to face the starter.
Champion trainer Ernst Oertel saddles three of whom the veteran Fryvolous, a former National Day Cup and Kahayla Classic winner, looks a main chance after being dropped significantly in class. He will be ridden by Stephanie Hofer, a professional jockey from Germany.
The only Thoroughbred race is a 1600m handicap and last year’s winner, Maath Gool, second, Musaafer and fourth, Mujrayaat, all clash again.
Maath Gool has since left Musabah Al Muhairi, who trains Musaafer and joined Doug Watson who also saddles Mujrayaat.