In-form Raakezz faces What A Metal challenge at Jebel Ali features

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Jebel Ali hosts its third meeting of the season on Friday, with six races on the cards, highlighted by a 1000m conditions race restricted for 3-year-olds.

Raakezz, trained by Nicholas Bachalard, for his main patron Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, leads the strong field of 11, which have been declared for the feature race which carries a prize purse of Dhs100,000.

The Street Boss colt made the perfect start to his career, on this card 12 months ago as a 2-year-old, with an impressive victory over the same 1000m course and distance as Friday’s contest.

Salem Bin Ghadayer-trained, What A Metal, who represents Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is expected to be a main threat to the race favourite Raakezz.

Bachalard said: “The horses have been in good form, so we hope that continues. Raakezz runs well at Jebel Ali and we are happy with the draw in stall one. We expect a good run, assuming he breaks well, but What A Metal looks the one to beat with the advantage of a run this season.”

Earlier in October, in what was What A Metal’s fifth career start and seasonal debut the Exceed And Excel colt beat Bachalard’s Saddled over the Jebel Ali 1000m.

He was, however, a long way behind Raakezz in the 1400m contest that rival was eventually disqualified.

Bin Ghadayer said: “This is obviously a tougher race than the maiden he won, but he seems to have improved from that win and come out of the race in very good form.

“Hopefully he goes back to Jebel Ali with a good chance in a tough little race.”