Competitive field for Jebel Ali Sprint

The winner of the race will secure an invitation to the Dubai Golden Shaheen Gr-1 or Al Quoz Sprint Gr-2, on the Dubai World Cup night.

Defending champion, Terrific Challenge, Richard Mullen up, returns to the hilly track in the 1000m Jebel Sprint ‘Listed’ at the Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday afternoon.

The connections of the nine-year-old veteran son of Royal Academy are looking forward to secure another dream line up in the Al Qouz Sprint Gr-2 for the second straight year.

Having beaten today’s opponent Dohasa by a length in a bone-crushing battle up the hill last year, Terrific Challenge needs to improve if he is to defend his crown in this year’s race which attracted a competitive field of 15 runners going to post. The Doug Watson-trained Force Freeze and Mike De Kock’s Frosty Secret would pose the immediate threat. Both horses have been raced over extended distances of 1600m and 1400m before being entered for the race.

And while Frosty Secret makes his Jebel Ali debut, Frosty Secret has just failed to land the prestigious race in 2009 under Frankie Dettori, when narrowly beaten by Hammadi who received a courtesy invitation to the 2009 Dubai Golden Dhaheen Gr-1.

Top Irish jockey Kieren Fallon replaces William Buick in the saddle, will partners Otaared who renews rivalry against his earlier conqueror Quartier Latin, Richard Hills up, in the 1400m Conditions opening race on the card.

Top weight, Lord Ego, ridden by Patrick Dobbs, looks good to claim his second course victory of the season in the 1200m second race of the afternoon.

The fourth race, a Thoroughbreds handicap contested over nine furlong, attracted a competitive field of 13 runners. The fifth race, a 1600m Thoroughbreds handicap has attracted a quality field of twelve runners and is a re-match between Sailorman under Italian apprentice Antioco Murgia and the mount of Patrick Dobbs, Mureb.

Sarbola, ridden by Kieren Fallon makes his fourth start of the season in a bid to break his maiden when the four-year-old gelding lines up for honours in the final race of the afternoon, a 1600m Maiden contest.

Shadwell Farms joined hand with the Jebel Ali Racecourse management and sponsors to make it a memorable day for the race fans.

The Kentucky-based arm of the Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s operation will sponsor the feature race, Jebel Ali Sprint along with the first race which carried Dh500,000 and Dh120,000 respectively. Al Shafar Investments will look after the second race for Dh70,000, Commercial Bank of Dubai sponsors the fourth race for Dh70,000; Freeland takes care of the fifth race for Dh110,000 and Cappennelle Racecourse sponsors the final race against Dh60,000.