Lucky Ray aims to shine

Jebel Ali hosts a six race, all thoroughbred, card on Friday afternoon, with the 16th running of the listed Jebel Ali Mile the feature. With Dh500,000 in prize money on offer the race has attracted a field of 10 with the trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam relying on Mulaqat in a race he has remarkably never won. He faces a stiff challenge from Jet Express, trained by Ali Rashid al Raihe who leads the trainers' championship.

The champion trainer Doug Watson, who won the race last year with Jonquil, saddles Lucky Ray who is seeing his fourth win of the season. Three of those have been at Nad Al Sheba. "He has been a real star this season, winning three times and coming second once," said Watson. Erwan Charpy won the race in 2002 with Pacino and he has two runners in the race. One of those, Golden Arrow, was runner-up last year.

He is joined by the debutant Hello Morning who has good form in France to his name. Watson will be expected to win the 1950m handicap in which he saddles five of the 12 runners. The seven-furlong handicap should be a quality affair. Selvaratnam's Jaasoos looks certain to go close with Musabah Al Muhairi's Snaafy, if fit,should be a strong contender after 11 months off. [e-mail]