With the attention of the horse racing world fixed on Cheltenham in the UK and with the Dubai International Racing Carnival finishing last week, this afternoon's Jebel Ali Spint Day meeting offers some local interest. The final of the track's three Listed races this season provides a last chance for the sprinters to claim a World Cup night berth. Mike De Kock, the South African trainer who won the race last year, is well-represented among the foreigners in the maximum field of 16. The stable jockey Kevin Shea has chosen Warsaw while the Godolphin jockey Frankie Dettori will be on Frosty Secret for the five-furlong feature. Brave Tin Soldier will be the other candidate for Kock. Shea said: "I picked right last year so hopefully I have again. My fellow [Warsaw] won at the carnival this year and I won on him in England last year."
De Kock's compatriot Herman Brown will be represented by Lipocco under champion jockey Ted Durcan and the pair could make a bold bid from the front if acting on the dirt surface. Dhruba Selvaratnam's Alo Pura is the local favourite after winning her last two starts over today's course and distance. She will be a popular selection in the Pick Six and should confirm form with Hammadi whom she caught close home last time. Mubarak Bin Shafya's Furnace is another Carnival winner in the race.
Roman's Run, a carnival winner this year for Doug Watson, is one of 12 declared for a seven-furlong handicap and he is proven on the course as is Ali Rashid Al Raihe's Jet Express who heads the weights. Charpy's Tasteyville and Bin Shafya's pair of Blue Sky Basin and Il Grande Maurizio have to be considered. As always, home trainer Selvaratnam has a strong hand throughout the afternoon. jsullivan@thenational.ae