Forjatt starts favourite on rich prize day in Jebel Ali

Dubai - The Derrinstown Stud-sponsored Group 3 contest, with total prizemoney of Dh575,000, is the richest race programmed each season by the popular daytime venue located in southern Dubai.

Local favourite Forjatt attempts to maintain an unbeaten season and capture another rich prize on his home track in the Jebel Ali Mile (1600m) on Friday.
The Derrinstown Stud-sponsored Group 3 contest, with total prizemoney of Dh575,000, is the richest race programmed each season by the popular daytime venue located in southern Dubai.
Forjatt won the 2014 renewal of the race and was first past the post again 12 months ago before the discovery of a prohibited substance in his system, revealed by a post race test, led to his disqualification. The Dhruba Selvaratnam-trained gelding in three starts so far this season has captured the Listed National Day Cup (1600m) at Abu Dhabi, as well as the prep race for that turf contest and the prep for this, over course and distance two weeks ago. Nine rivals are booked to line up against the Irish-bred, including Silver Galaxy, just a short head behind last year before subsequently being awarded the race following the disqualification. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth are also back. Irishman Chris Hayes, in his first season as Selvaratnam's stable jockey, has yet to taste defeat on the eight-year-old.
"Forjatt has really impressed me this season," said Hayes. "He stays a strongly run mile very well so hopefully there will be a good gallop. "He should have won the prep more easily but that was my fault as the race unfolded on the other side of the track. He did it well enough in the end and won going away. "Hopefully, he is the one to beat." When promoted Silver Galaxy became a fourth winner in the race in the past five years for Meydan-based trainer Musabah Al Muhairi and a third in four renewals for owner, Fathi Esaed Mohd Egziama.
Godolphin rider James Doyle has been booked for the mount on the five-year-old who has not been seen at the races since and is obliged to concede weight to the other eight. Al Muhairi's stable jockey, Fernando Jara, has chosen to ride the trainer's other runner, Interpret.
The eight-year-old won his maiden over course and distance in December 2012 and is no stranger to Jebel Ali feature success having won the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes (1950m) two season ago.
He too his making a seasonal debut have not been seen since scoring over 1800 metres here at the final fixture of last season.