Zaffaan returns to lucky Sharjah 9

dubai — After some fantastic races to open the UAE horse racing season at the Jebel Ali Racecourse, the action shifts to the Sharjah Racecourse of the Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club, for the second race meeting on Saturday.

And like at Jebel Ali, it is a six-race card with the headlining contest being the Longines Master Collection Handicap to be run over 2,000 metres. It is also the last race of the day.

Nine runners have been declared which includes UAE Champion Owner Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Zaffaan and Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Ajjaj.

Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has two runners in Men Alemarat and Snaffy, while the Al Ajban Stables also have two in Meftah Al Reef and Banan Al Reef.

Zaffaan, the mount of Fernando Jara and trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, returns to very venue where he has notched all his three victories till date.

But Zaffaan will be looking to bounce back after three poor runs in Al Ain last season. “Hopefully, running back at Sharjah will suit him and he can run a big race,” said Jara.

Meanwhile, it is again set to be a very busy afternoon for UAE Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea, who has elected to ride in all six races, making it 12 races in total, over the weekend.

O’Shea is set to partner Runners have been declared for the

Sharjah race Men Alemarat, the charge of Eric Lemartinel. The fouryear-old Men Alemarat will be looking to add a second win from nine starts on Saturday. His only victory came in a 2000 metres maiden race on dirt, in Al Ain in January this year.

It will be Men Alemarat’s second appearance at the Sharjah Racecourse after he had finished third with Gerald Avranche on board, in the 1700m Ruler Of Sharjah Trophy, in March this year.

And O’Shea was looking forward to a good run. “He’s a nice horse and has been working well. The yard would appear to have two big chances in the race with my fellow proven at Sharjah, which is always crucial there,” said O’Shea.

And the five-time UAE Champion Jockey picked out Men Alemarat’s stablemate Snaffy as a threat. “Snaffy has only had three starts and seems to be improving judged on his recent work at home,” he said.

Snaffy, also the charge of Lemartinel, has one win, with that coming on turf at the Abu Dhabi Racecourse in March this year. He was partnered by O’Shea then. Here, the fouryear-old will be the mount of Avranche.

james@khaleejtimes.com