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Plenty to run for at Jebel Ali

A maximum field of 16 runners have been declared to be under the starter’s orders in the 17th running of the Jebel Ali Sprint, a Listed Race, scheduled to run over 1000 metres up the hill on Friday afternoon.

The winner of the race will secure a line up in the Dubai Golden Shaheen Gr-1 on the Dubai World Cup night.

This race was first held in 1994 and it was run over 1200 metre up the hill and Indian Rocket holds the course record for the distance of 1.12:52. Later the distance was reduced to 1000 metre and the winner of the race receives a courtesy invitation for a line up in either of the two sprint races on the Dubai World Cup night. These include the Dubai Golden Shaheen, a Gr-1 event contested over 1200 metre on the All-Weather track, and the 1000m dash Al Quoz Sprint (Gr-2). State City won the race in 2003 in a record time of 57:37 and went on to win the 1200m Dubai Golden Shaheen Group-1 at the Nad Al Sheba dirt track under Michael Hills for trainer Paddy Rudkin.

On Friday, holder Terrific Challenge and runner-up Dohasa will face the challenge of improving colt Glorious Gift while Alsadeek, a course and distance winner, will miss out.

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

The Kentucky-based arm of Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s operation will sponsor the feature race Jebel Ali Sprint along with the first race which carry Dh500,000 and Dh120,000 in prizes 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.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum leads the owners competition at the hilly track with 10 winners and Dhruba Selvaratnam tops the trainers’ table with 10 runners. In the jockeys’ competition, ten riders are in with a chance to win the title. Patrick Dobbs shows the way with six winners followed on his heels by Kieren Fallon who has tasted success on five occasions.

Sharief Al Halawani, manager of Jebel Ali racecourse, said all arrangements have been made to welcome the spectators in the penultimate racing day of the season (Al Satwa Meet).

“I would like to thank our partners Shadwell Farms for their great support and backing to our races,” he said. “Under the patronage and guidance of Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the management of the Jebel Ali Racecourse is proud to welcome you all to attend the closing meet of the season, before the curtains are pulled down on one of the busiest season,” he said.

“As usual, and in a move to secure the utmost atmosphere full of joy and relaxation, we have established a series of services and facilities, where the public can enjoy with ease,” he said.

“The doors will be open from 10am to secure a smooth admission and avoid any possible congestion that could be encountered at the gates. The draw will start from 12 noon. The convenience of the spectators is a top priority,” he said. “A brand new full option 2007 Nissan Sunny will be put on raffle by the end of the sixth and final race against special offer for Dh10. Coupons will be sold at special points at the public stand,” he said.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com