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Achilly Bay looks good

Achilly Bay, Richard Mullen up, looks good to land the 2200m Al Reem Island Handicap, the only thoroughbred race on the card of the second meeting at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday.

The first of the six-race-card kicks off at 5pm.

Trained by Satish Seemar at the Zabeel Stables in Dubai on behalf of owner Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the eight-year-old veteran by Peintre Celebre leads Seemar’s quartet which comprises third of the 12 runners field.

Colm O’Donoghue jumps on Jose Adan on UAE seasonal debut, Patrick Cosgrave partners Radegund Abbey while Harry Bentley rides Pulpit Point for the all-conquering stables.

Richard Mullen said: “That was a very pleasing run last week and he was staying on strongly. The extra distance will help him and we know he stays further and likes Abu Dhabi. He must have a decent chance in an open race.”

Erwan Charply saddles UAE debutant Almiqdaad under Tadhg O’Shea in the distinguished blue silks of Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance.

The home-bred five-year-old gelded son of former champion Haafidh did not impress when trained in UK by Michael Jarvis having won a maiden event and a handicap race in 13 starts. He finished 15^th in his most recent start in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Heritage Handicap) in September 2010, before being shipped to Dubai. He was not seen on the track since then.

Charpy said: “Tadhg was very pleased with him and said the horse was ready for a run. This looks a good starting point but he will obviously improve for the outing as he has been off a long time.”

However, he fares, Al Raihe and Ffrench appear to have a strong chance in the opening 1600m conditions race with local debutant Mestor who carries the colours of Oman’s Royal Cavalry.

A winner on his racecourse debut in Europe, he was placed on each of his three subsequent starts including in Group One company. He sets a high standard for his 15 rivals although he does have to give weight all round.

Of the remainder, Yazan and Dstor both made pleasing debuts behind Kalahari Desert in the first race of the season. That winner was trained by Ernst Oertel who saddled a double last week and relies on Shamal Al Asayl in this race.

Wathba Stud Farm continue their generous sponsorship of a series of races restricted to horses owned by private owners with a 1600m maiden which has attracted a full field of 16.

It looks wide open with most of the runners having demonstrated some level of form and it promises to be a minefield for Pick Six players.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com