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Strong Field for Jebel Ali Mile

DUBAI - The Jebel Ali Mile has attracted a competitive field of ten runners going to post in the Shadwell-sponsored feature race of the afternoon at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday.

The tenth meeting of the season Al Safouh Race promises total entertainment and fun for racegoers both on and off the track.

The day’s showcase event will be at 3.30pm — the Dh120,000 Shadwell Farm — an eight furlong contest that will see defending champion Golden Arrow from Erwan Charpy’s yard facing the challenge of top milers.

Jet Express under Royston Ffrench from the all-conquering stables of local trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe is looking for his fourth win of the season.

The President Cup’s winner Ibn Battuta returns to the hilly track to seal his fourth win as well which makes the job of the Charpy raider very difficult .

Meeriss, William Buick up, a respectable second behind Fathayer and Mushaahed on a longer distance at the same course is also making his bid for the Irish trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam.

The first race will be sponsored by the Al Hai Group (Alfa Tours). Newbury Racecourse will sponsor the second race. Shadwell Farm USA sponsors the main third race, Emirates NBD will take care of the fourth race, the fifth race will be looked after by the Emirates Equestrian Federation and Emirates Airline sponsors the sixth and final race of the afternoon.

The meeting takes place following the presumably exciting opening of the new iconic racecourse Meydan schedule on Thursday evening with the seventh running of the Dubai International Racing Carnival.

There will be a special programme for the kids at the backyard of the Grand Stand with plenty of shows to keep the younger fans amused throughout the afternoon.

“More than 20,000 free gifts will be distributed to the spectators at the entry gates. This will include mobile phones and electronic items that can be won against free coupons which will be distributed with the pick-six forms,” Sharief Al Halawani, director of the Jebel Ali Racecourse said on Tuesday promising a fun day for all.

“Celebrations will start from as early as 12 noon. We hope to make everyone happy. The children will have our full attention and priority. We have provided special areas for them to play and enjoy the afternoon under the watchful eyes of our staff.

“There’s room for everyone to entertain himself and enjoy a special afternoon at the outskirts of the city.

However, Al Halawani urged racegoers to cooperate with the racecourse management and keep an eye on their children.

“The safety of the children as well as the horses and jockeys is of great importance for us. We request people to keep the place clean and follow the rules while enjoying their family day-out,” he said.

The best turned out horses competition for the six races is sponsored by the Dubai International Arabian Horseracing Centre.

The groom of each winner will receive Dh1,000 except for the feature race which carries a prize money of Dh2,000.

The popular pick-six and tri-cast competitions are worth Dh62,000 in prize money. And a brand new 2010 model car will be raffled off with tickets priced at Dh10. The draw will take place after the final race and the lucky winner should be available to drive home his new automobile.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com