Jebel ALI // Haatheq is the overwhelming favourite in today’s Listed Jebel Ali Stakes, the featured prize on the six-race card.
The seven-year-old son of Seeking The Gold, trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe, has won both his starts this season, including the Prep race two weeks ago, and faces the same opposition.
“He is very versatile and has also won on the all-weather and turf, but he seems to save his very best for the Jebel Ali dirt,” said Paul Hanagan, the jockey for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s stable.
“He has been second in some big races, both here and at Meydan and really deserves to win one. Hopefully this will be it.”
Sheikh Hamdan is well represented in the race, with stable companion Mutajare and Tanfeeth, trained by Musabah Al Muhairi. Both finished behind Haatheq in the Prep race.
The Doug Watson-trained Jutland, last year’s runner-up, was second in that race and looks to be the main threat.
“This is his third start of the season and it has always been his first main target,” Watson said. “He is in good form at home and should run well.”
Jutland finished second in his first start this season, behind Satish Seemar’s Farrier.
“He is a horse we have always liked and he goes particularly well at Jebel Ali,” said stable jockey Richard Mullen, who rode Jutland.
“We tried him back at Meydan on the all-weather last time, but he just does not seem the same horse on that surface. He is working well and we are hopeful of a big run.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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