Two conditions races headlines thrilling Jebel Ali’s seven-race card

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

 The ‘tea party’ might have moved from Friday to Saturday, but that has not undimmed the atmosphere at Jebel Ali Racecourse (JARC), which is clearly a favourite with the crowd, who find so much to do alongside the excitement of racing.

And this week’s seven-race card for the ‘Zabeel’ meeting is jam-packed with thrilling conditions events, a pair of those, to be precise, one that will be contested over a 1600m trip and the other over the longer 1950m course.

These have been priced at Dhs100,000 each as the stakes are higher on account of the month-long festivities celebrating the racecourse’s 30th anniversary.

With Dhs200,000 reserved for those two feature events on the card, Dhs334,000 will be distributed as per the merits of each of the remaining five races for a substantial afternoon purse of Dhs534,000.

On the sponsorship roll are Shadwell, Sahel Contracting, and HIVE, with Dubai Real Estate Centre and Keeneland each sponsoring two races.

Fazza Racing chief trainer Salem Bin Ghadayer enjoyed a good run at Jebel Ali during the last meeting, and with a yard that is slowly starting to show some form locally, the Emirati handler might have a few live chances when Tenbury Wells and Rare Ninja line up in the 1950m conditions affair.

Ghadayer has strong hands to play in the 1600m conditions event too, with 2020 Group 3 UAE Oaks winner Down On Da Bayou looking for a second win over course and distance this term, as she starts in the company of stable companion Blown By Wind.

Although with the public health and safety protocols in place, crowds attending will be limited to a maximum of 8,000 spectators, there will be no cap on the excitement of racegoers attending the meeting.

Jebel Ali Racecourse Organising Committee member Ahmed Al Shehhi said: “We are ready for racing after carrying out a bit of maintenance work on the surface because of the winter.

“All preparations are in order and the track looks beautiful, with the surface good for racing and the rest of the amenities in perfect order for the spectators who will be attending the meeting.

“The Organising Committee has always sought to implement the directives of the racecourse’s founder and patron, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which aims at providing good hospitality to all those attending the race meetings, from racegoers to sponsors and all horse connections.”

Shareef Al Halawani, the longstanding manager of JARC, added: “We thank the sponsors for their valued sponsorship and the Emirates Racing Authority for its efforts and continuous cooperation in developing racing in the UAE and here at Jebel Ali.

“The efforts of the management and those involved in racing have had a huge impact on enriching the quality of racing here at Jebel Ali Racecourse, and we hope the racegoers will have a good time at the races this Saturday when we host our seventh meeting of the season.”