Rich fare expected at ADEC

Abu Dhabi - Hamza made a winning local debut in a maiden in November

The hectic weekend schedule for UAE horse racing comes to an end on today when a six race card has been drawn up with two Dh100,000 handicaps, one for Purebred Arabians, and the other for Thoroughbreds at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club - first race 5pm. A select field of five Purebred Arabians has been declared for the Al Taweelah Handicap (1,600m) but, despite the lack of numbers, it looks competitive, the Emirates Racing Authority media realse stated.
Al Asayl trainer Eric Lemartinel saddles two runners with Tadhg O'Shea choosing to ride Hamza, leaving Wayne Smith to pick up the spare ride on Al Dheeb.
Hamza made a wining local debut in a 1,400m course maiden in November and that remains his sole career win from seven starts. He has raced three more times in the UAE, most recently when fourth in the Listed opening round of the Arabian Triple Crown, over the same 1,600m course and distance as Sunday's race.
"He is quite a quirky character," said O'Shea.
"So hopefully the small field will suit him. He won his local debut well, over 1,400m at Abu Dhabi and this looks a good opportunity to get his head back in front. The Erwan Charpy runner looks the one to beat."
The Charpy-trained runner is Cheik Roque, one place in front of Hamza in the Arabian Triple Crown Round One when making his local debut. Stable jockey David Probert maintains the partnership. "We were certainly pleased with his first run," said Charpy. "It was a very good effort and hopefully he has improved with the run under his belt. "He has a lot in his favour but, even though there are only five runners, at least three have a good chance."
Only a neck split Hamza and Cheik Roque on that occasion and with the pair meeting on identical terms it should be close again.
Not far behind in fifth, was Badira De Monlau who is weighted to finish closer his time. A maiden after four starts, two locally, she is trained by Helal Al Alawi and is to be ridden by Royston Ffrench.
However Cheik Roque fares, Charpy will also have a major contender in the Thoroughbred contest, the Al Shahamah Handicap (2,200m) when he saddles Amaan. The seven-year-old is the chosen ride of Paul Hanagan, retained jockey to owner-breeder Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance. The former British Champion was aboard in a course and distance win in February 2014 and when Amaan posted a promising third, over 1,600m, at Abu Dhabi two weeks ago.
"He has been running well," said Charpy. "He won at Jebel Ali at the opening meeting and has put in good performances at Al Ain and Abu Dhabi on his two most recent starts. They were both over 1,600m and he should appreciate the return to 2,200m. We are pretty hopeful of a good run."
Dane O'Neill retained as second jockey by Shaikh Hamdan partners the owner's other runner, Mustadhaf, trained by Musabah Al Muhairi. That gelding is seeking a first UAE victory at the fifth attempt. With trainer Satish Seemar enjoying a superb run of form, his four runners must be taken seriously.
Stable jockey, Richard Mullen, who rode three winners for the yard on the second Dubai World Cup Carnival card at Meydan on Thursday, has been named to ride Signs In The Sand, yet to win in 25 UAE outings and who last visited the Winner's Circle in October 2010.
The eight-year-old gelding mount should at least appreciate the return to turf having run on dirt his past three outings and this does look his best opportunity for some time to get back to winning ways with the handicapper seeming to have given him a big chance.