Harry Bentley, Saifaldin Deep eye glory

Encipher, ridden by Harry Bentley, won the 1400m second race at the Jebel Ali Racecourse in Dubai last year. — KT file

Dubai — Harry Bentley teams up with Al Falah Stables’ handler Saifaldin Deep to ride the emerging Arabian star Boss Des Vialettes in the 1600m PA Abu Dhabi Championship ‘Listed’, the highlight of the six meeting at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday.

Deep is enjoying a very exceptional season as the Lebanese trainer has saddled six winners, three seconds, three thirds plus other six horses that have finished in the money out of his 25 runners during the current season to settle fourth only four points behind pace setter, the suspended South African Al Asayl trainer Ernst Oertel.

Having disappointed on debut at the Toulouse Racecourse in France, the well-bred three-year-old Dormane colt made it a winning start in a 1400 Maiden event under Silvestre De Sousa at the same course early this month and looks good to appreciate the extended distance to deliver the goods for the connections.

Meanwhile, a full field of 14 runners has been declared in the Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic, a Purebred Arabian contest to be run over a mile. Top weight MH Kanz locks horns against Huyam in what could be a re-match between the two fillies while Nawarat Al Reef has an outside chance to turn the tables.

MH Kanz, ridden by Jose Santiago, has just held on to prevail by a head in a 1400m event when attacked by Huyam under Tadhg O’Shea. But this time out, and with Royston Ffrench in the saddle, Huyam has every chance to reverse places with her conqueror given the extra furlong that could better suit her. And in all cases, Nawarat Al Reef, a decent daughter of Bibi De Carrere, could bounce back from her Sharjah defeat to have a shout this time out.

The colts’ equivalent of the Abu Dhabi Championship over course and distance could be another re-match between Sattar Al Reef, Richard Mullen, and Al Shabab to be ridden by Royston Ffrench. Sattar Al Reef outclassed Al Shabab by ten lengths in a ‘Conditions’ race over course and distance and has every chance to repeat. The only thoroughbred event Al Mushrif TB Handicap, the final race of the night features 13 runners going to post. Richard Mullen unites with ‘Signs In the Sand’ from the trio of the in-form Stables of Satish Seemar’s and looks good to get the job done.

Maftoon Al Reef could break the jinx in the 1600 PA Maiden, the fourth race on the card, and Ain Jaloot could sprint home ahead of the others in the 1000m Watba Stud Farm For Private Owners Only, the fifth race of the evening.