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Seven-race card at Sharjah today

DUBAI - The Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club will stage the first of their four 2010/11 season meetings on Saturday afternoon with a seven-race card due to start at 2pm, according to a press release. There are two Thoroughbred races on the card and the first of these, the 1200m maiden is arguably the most interesting race on the card.

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Fourteen have been declared and include several well-bred, lightly raced individuals representing powerful yards. However, local debutant Nanni The Teaser sets a decent standard after four starts in his native USA where he showed plenty of promise.

Trained by Satish Seemar, he looks a nice spare ride for Tadhg O’Shea who said: “His form looks decent and gives him a strong shout. However, it does look a strong maiden for Sharjah.”

Stable jockey Richard Mullen partners Exceedingly Fast who showed promise on debut last year. He said: “She has strengthened up over the summer and should be capable of running a big race.” Seemar and Mullen combined to win the Meydan maiden with Saudi Summer and appear to have a strong bunch of younger horses.

Energia Cintilante was second on his most recent start in his native Brazil and should go close for Eduardo Martins, while Erwan Charpy provided the winner of the opening maiden of the season and saddles Chitchatnthechapel who was a good third on his sole start last season.

Wayne Smith has elected to ride Paschendale of the two Musabah Al Muhairi runners, while Spice Souk, Decree To Win, Penthouse Raeder and Forteen Moon all make their debuts and appeal on pedigree.

The other Thoroughbred race is a 1700m handicap and last week’s winner Hunter’s Glen will bid for a quick follow-up. He will be partnered by O’Shea on this occasion (Pat Dobbs rode him last week) and trainer Doug Watson said: “We were delighted he managed to get his head in front last week and hopefully he can run well again but he does have to give weight away.”

Daweyrr, trained by Dhruba Selvaratnam, appears the main danger.

The concluding 1700m conditions race is the most valuable of the Purebred Arabian contests and looks quite competitive. Eric Lemartinel and Gerald Avranche are always respected in these races and combine with Dahes who can go well.

However, Gill Duffield is another to follow in these races and she saddles Royal Class, the mount of O’Shea who said: “He was a decent performer in the UK and managed to win in the UAE last season. We have to be hopeful.”