Racing back on track with Jebel Ali Mile
Amir Naqvi
A seasoned journalist covering major sports events around the world. Amir is Sports Editor with Gulf Today.
- 21 Jan 2020
After passing the crucial “kick-back” test on Monday, the Jebel Ali Racecourse is all set to resume racing with a bang. Holding the first race since early week of December after the temporary ban imposed by Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) following the concerns by jockeys over the track’s levels of kick-back, the state-of-the-art track will host the Jebel Ali Mile, the biggest race of the Jebel Ali season, on Friday.
Group 3 Jebel Mile is the highlight of the seven-race card which has attracted nine runners and carries a prize purse of Dhs575,000.
Last year, Satish Seemar-trained Secret Ambition under Richard Mullen delivered a masterclass to win the Jebel Ali Mile.
Shareef Al Halawani, Jebel Ali Racecourse manager, expressed his delight over the successful trial run of the track which was held under the supervision of ERA.
“We now look forward to host the Jebel Ali Mile and other prominent races and will adhere to raise the standards of the track.
“I would also like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, for his generous and continuous support to the Jebel Ali Racecourse.
“Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, patron of the Jebel Ali Racecourse, attaches special importance to all horse races held at this unique racecourse, with its charming nature and distinctive character in conducting races during the weekend,” Halawani.
Mirza Al Sayegh, Director of the office of Sheikh Hamdan, praised the efforts of Jebel Ali Racecourse team headed by Halawani in exerting maximum effort to make the track suitable for racing again.
“It’s a good comeback made by Jebel Ali,” he said. “It’s a great privilege for us to stand behind the efforts of the patron of the facility Sheikh Ahmed for the best interests of the equine sport which has flourished beyond our expectations,” he added.
Hailing the Jebel Ali Racecourse, renowned trainer Satish Seemar said: “I personally believe this type of a track is needed to break the monotony of flat races, I do always harbour a soft spot for this type of track.”
After landing rich spoils with Secret Ambition last year, Seemar will be looking to see him in the winner’s enclosure again.
He saddles three horses, including Behavioral Bias, Seniority and Yulong Warrior.
“Yeah, we’ve got three in there, Yulong Warrior, Behavioral Bias and Seniority. Seniority of course is making his first appearance here and everyone knows, Yulong in his first race at Meydan, he got overreached by a post behind him and he got a cut and he therefore didn’t work out in that race.
“All three are solid contenders for this race. Behavioral Bias finished an awesome third over a shorter distance, but that was just his little appearance,” added Seemar.
