Al Zahir defends Emirates Championship crown in Abu Dhabi

abu dhabi : Racing at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club is on Friday this week for what is arguably the biggest meeting of the season in the Capital.

The six-race card is highlighted by the Group 1 Emirates Championship, as well as the biggest Thoroughbred race of the campaign, the Group 3 Abu Dhabi Championship over the same 2200m.

Trained by Ali Rashid Al Rayhi for Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, defending champion Al Zahir bounced back after a pair of lacklustre efforts in style five weeks ago to land a second consecutive Group 1 The President Cup in comprehensive fashion. The owner’s retained jockey Jim Crowley was in the saddle for that victory, as well as for both big race successes last year and maintains the partnership.

“He was back to his best last time and full credit to Ali and his team,” Crowley said. “The blinkers certainly seemed to help and hopefully he is the one to beat on Friday.”

When Al Zahir was fifth in the Group 1 Kahayla Classic on the 2018 Dubai World Cup card at Meydan, he was ridden by Dane O’Neill with Crowley electing to ride Barnamaj. The pair finished third, but Barnamaj has not been in public since. Subsequently, this will be his first outing for 349 days and first locally on turf having just four dirt starts last year since joining Al Rayhi from Europe.

The main danger to the Sheikh Hamdan pair looks to be Darius Du Paon, trained by Eric Lemartinel for the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The choice of Pat Cosgrave from three for owner and trainer, he was third in The President Cup. Lemartinel also saddles Shaheer and Abu Alabyad.

“Darius Du Paon was probably a bit unlucky in The President Cup and we expect a big run from him,” Lemartinel said. “Abu Alabyad also ran well in that race and he probably still needed the outing. Shaheer is in good form at home so hopefully all three will go well.”

The Thoroughbred equivalent, the Group 3 Abu Dhabi Championship, has attracted nine runners and appears wide open with South African Mike de Kock seeking to win the 2200m feature for a third time.

The trainer saddles Hermoso Mundo, having just his second UAE outing after having been well beaten in a 2000m turf handicap at Meydan’s Dubai World Cup Carnival a fortnight ago. A 6-year-old Ideal World gelding and thrice a Grade 3 winner, including over marathon distances, he will be ridden by Bernard Fayd’Herbe.

De Kock said: “He needed his first run over an inadequate trip badly, so this looks a good opportunity to try and advertise his claims for a berth in the Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night.”

Saltarin Dubai, with Richard Mullen riding for Satish Seemar, has the highest official rating, but has yet to win on turf in two attempts, so Kronprinz, despite a small penalty, may prove a bigger danger with Antonio Fresu riding for Erwan Charpy.

“This horse has had no luck with the draw, but ran well at the Carnival.” Charpy said. “Again he does not have a great draw, but I think Abu Dhabi will suit him and we expect him to run well.”

Trained by Ahmad Bin Harmash, Connect will appreciate the return to turf, having not handled the Meydan dirt surface on his latest start. Still, he must prove his stamina over this trip.

Bin Harmash said: “This will probably be his last run of the season, so we can try him over a new trip. If he stays he should be competitive.”

This fixture was due to be the final one at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, but the Liwa Oasis fixture, cancelled two weeks ago when the track was deemed unfit, has been rearranged for early April.