Previous winners look to dominate Jebel Ali card

Racing at Jebel Ali on Friday afternoon is officially highlighted by a handicap over 1800m in which Tailor’s Row is seeking a third consecutive victory, as well as a fourth career success up the famous Jebel Ali hill. A course and distance winner on his penultimate start, the 7-year-old Street Cry gelding then went to Sharjah where he won a valuable 2000m handicap. Royston Ffrench, who maintains the partnership, was in the saddle on both occasion as he was on his mount’s seasonal debut, over 1950m, when they were caught close home by stable companion Untold Secret and Jose Santiago.

The latter, a 9-year-old gelded son of Shamardal, has finished behind his stablemate on both his most recent outings, under Santiago, and will on this occasion be partnered by Xavier Ziani who was aboard when they landed a 1600m Meydan dirt handicap last March. Both horses are trained by Salem Bin Ghadayer, as is local debutant Beatboxer, the mount of Santiago.

Bin Ghadayer said: “Beatboxer is a new horse who has not been with us that long. His British form was good, and he is showing good signs at home so we will see how he goes and find out more on Friday.

“Tailor’s Row, as we all know, loves it at Jebel Ali and to be ridden positively. He seems in great heart and Untold Secret also has good course form and is going well. Hopefully all three can run good races in a strong looking handicap.”

Dark Of Night won a 1600m course maiden three weeks ago and will again be ridden by Antonio Fresu for Musabbeh Al Mheiri in the colours of Nasir Askar. A 4-year-old Dark Angel gelding, he was opening his account at the 12th attempt, but had run some good races in defeat last season, including when placed in the trials for both the UAE 2000 Guineas and Al Bastakiya.

Fresu said: “This horse faced some stiff tasks last season, but nearly always ran well, so it was a deserved win and, hopefully, one that will have done his confidence a lot of good.

“We have a nice low weight, the trip should be fine, and we know the course suits, so hopefully, he can run a big race, but it is a lot stronger race than the one he won.”

A capacity field of 16 is due to face the starter in the following 1400m handicap in which Top Clearance will seek a victory for racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Trained at the adjacent Jebel Ali Stables by Nicholas Bachalard, the 9-year-old Majestic Warrior gelding has not won since landing a 1950m Jebel Ali handicap in March 2017 but has been pleasing his trainer.

With stable jockey Ryan Curatolo suspended Bachalard has booked Fabrice Veron and the trainer said: “He has been running consistently but is a hard horse to place with his rating. He will give his best I am sure, but it looks a tough race.”

Helal Alalawi saddles Mystery Land, unbeaten over course and distance having made a winning debut under these conditions in March. He followed that with a victorious seasonal return in a conditions race in late October before suffering his sole defeat to date over 1700m in Sharjah.

A 5-year-old gelded son of Sea The Stars, he should appreciate this return to the straight Jebel Ali 1400m and Alalawi said: “He is a nice young horse we have always really liked. We know he likes the Jebel Ali conditions and hope he can bounce back.” For Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ali Rashid Al Rayhi, and the owner’s retained jockey Dane O’Neill, Almoreb won over track and trip on his most recent appearance, at the end of November.

Similarly, Karaginsky landed his latest outing over this Jebel Ali 1400m for Satish Seemar, Tadhg O’Shea, and Nasir Askar, chased home by stablemate Cachao, again the mount of apprentice Nathan Crosse.

Also, for Seemar and the mount of stable jockey Richard Mullen, seasonal debutant Majestic Thunder won his final start last season, a handicap over 1800m here at Jebel Ali.