RACING RETURNS TO DUBAI.

Preview: UAE, Thursday

Nad Al Sheba, Dubai (dirt)


RACING returns to the UAE on Thursday with the start of the new - and final - season at Nad Al Sheba, where all eyes will be on jockey Fernando Jaraas as he returns to Dubai for the first time since winning the 2007 World Cup on Invasor.

The Panamanian, who won so many admirers when winning the world's richest race as a teenager for Sheikh Hamdan, will be based with champion trainer Doug Watson in Dubai this season as he bids to put his career back on track.

Jara, 20, was injured in a fall at Hollywood Park in December 2007 and returned to Panama to recuperate. On Thursday, he has three rides for Watson, who expects to have about 100 horses at hs Red Stables base this winter.

The trainer explained that it was Invasor's trainer, his former mentor Kiaran McLaughlin, and Sheikh Hamdan's advisor Rick Nichols who suggested the link with Jara.

"I was approached to see if I'd be keen on having Fernando, who was riding in Panama at the time," said Watson. "I was keen - and Sheikh Hamdan approved it, so it will be a good opportunity for Fernando, who has not enjoyed a lot of luck after breaking his shoulder last year.

"He had a first lookat Nad Al Sheba on Mutasallil for me and impressed me immensely - and then of course won the World Cup for Sheikh Hamdan. I think he will do well in Dubai and am looking forward to forging a strong partnership with him.

"Daragh O'Donohoe is also back and Gaven Birrer has long been a key part of the team so we are well fixed for jockeys. Richard Hills is of course Sheikh Hamdan's jockey and will ride his runners. He is back for the first meeting this year."
With the space-age Meydan complex due to open in 12 months' time, the 2008-09 season is the last at Nad Al Sheba, where the curtain is scheduled to come down for the final time at the Dubai World Cup meeting on March 28.

Thursday's opening card, which features five thoroughbred races on the dirt track, marks the first night of the Winter Racing Challenge, a series of races in which the first six home earn points - with the highest half-dozen points earners earning a place in one of three finals over 6f, 1m and 1m2f on New Year's Day before the Dubai Carnival kicks into gear later in January.

With Ted Durcan, champion jockey in seven of the last nine seasons including the last campaign, staying in Britain until November 20, the likes of Richard Mullen, Wayne Smith and Royston Ffrench will be hoping to make a flying start in the jockeys' race.

However, Tadhg O'Shea, runner-up last year, also misses the first week - he gets married on Friday.

Adrian Nicholls, Lisa Jones and Royal Ascot-winning local apprentice Ahmed Ajtebi are all back in action on the first night, while Matthew Henry returns after a nine-year absence. He is based with former champion trainer Erwan Charpy, who should have a good season.

The first-night thoroughbred action consists of four handicaps and a 7f maiden in which Chun Tosaigh will carry the silks of Mick Ryan. Now trained by Dhruba Selvaratnam, Chun Tosaigh was highly regarded by Jim Bolger.

Satish Seemar will be hoping for a more prolific season this time round and he saddles a couple of interesting ex-Godolphin recruits. The unraced Blues Ballad contests the maiden, while Achill Bay runs in the 71/2f handicap. The latter has clearly had problems as he hasn't run since October 2005, when he beat Red Rocks in a Newmarket maiden.

Also back in local action, in the opening purebred arabian race, is trainer Rod Simpson, who sends out his first runners from his new base near Abu Dhabi.

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Dubai doubles for Mullen
and Ffrench


Report: UAE, Thursday
Nad Al Sheba, Dubai

RICHARD MULLEN made a flying start to the new season when partnering the Satish Seemar-trained debutant Blues Ballad to success in the first thoroughbred race of the new UAE campaign.

A half-brother to Listed winner Galactic Star, Blues Ballad made a very pleasing start to his career in the 7f maiden as he easily defeated last year's Anglesey Stakes third Chun Tosaigh.

“That was a good effort and he could be a decent prospect,” said Mullen, who went on to complete a double in the 5½f handicap on Musabah Al Muhairi's Masquerader.

“It is a nice start to the season certainly and he has really picked up well when I asked him,” said the rider.

Dubai Dreamer, once sold for $3.1million as a breeze-up horse, registered his second career success by winning a 7½f handicap under Royston Ffrench, who kicked his mount clear three furlongs out having made virtually all.

“I was happy to commit him for home and the plan worked,” said Ffrench. “He has stayed on bravely.”

Winning trainer was Ali Rashid Al Raihe, and the partnership repeated the dose later on over the same course and distance, albeit with different tactics, with bottom weight Aamaaq.

On this occasion, the jockey was content to bide his time in midfield before asking him to chase the leaders just over two furlongs out. The pair soon skipped clear and won comfortably.

Champion trainer Doug Watson opened his account in the final race, a 1m2f handicap as Daragh O'Donohoe made all on Lucky Ray.

The jockey was actually completing his own double,having won the opening purebred arabian contest. “I had a good night last year with a treble so clearly enjoy the opening night atmosphere,” he said.