The Union 51 Cup headlines Jebel Ali’s seven-race card on busy National Day weekend

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

A pair of handicaps shares top billing at Jebel Ali on Saturday afternoon, the first over 1400m named The Union 51 Cup attracting a field of nine and appearing wide open.

Musabbeh Al Mheiri has his string in fine form and relies on Shadwell’s Almoreb, to be partnered by the owner’s retained jockey Dane O’Neill.

The 8yo gelded son of Raven’s Pass is thrice a course and distance winner but it is almost a year, and seven starts, since his last success.

That said, he was a good second, again over this 1400m, on his seasonal return a fortnight ago.

The weights are headed by Bochart, one of three in the race to be saddled by Bhupat Seemar who is utilsing the 3kgs claim of stable apprentice Connor Planas.

Having arrived in the UAE as a maiden, the now 9yo gelded son of Dubawi has won on nine occasions from Zabeel Stables, thrice at Jebel Ali.

Stable jockey and reigning champion Tadhg O’Shea partners stable companion Al Habash which looks significant with Sandro Paiva aboard the yard’s third runner, Miller’s House, the only member of the Seemar trio to have not previously won over this track and trip.

Only five have been declared for the other featured handicap, the concluding race over 1950m, including Rakeez, representing Al Rashid Stables, Seemar and O’Shea.

On this occasion, plenty of surprises are in store for the fans. An interactive competition with the audience will take place, during which a variety of questions will be asked and cash prizes in the amount of Dhs5,000 will be awarded to the winners.

It was also announced that the raffle voucher will be sold at the designated venues and will include valuable prizes such as a Nissan Sunny car for one winner for which the draw will take place after the races.

Dhs10,000 for one winner and five mobile phones for five winners with both the draws taking place after the races.

Also, a ticket will be distributed to enter the grand prize draw for the Nissan Patrol, which will be drawn at the end of the 2022-2023 season on the last race evening.

On the other hand, there will be a special competition on the official social media account of Jabel Ali Racecourse (jarc_official), which will be the selection of the best artwork, photograph, or video taken by the public on the day of the race and published on their accounts via the Instagram application.

Mohammed Al Ahmad, General Manager of Jebel Ali Racecourse, said: "Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we are keen to bring joy and pleasure to the fans on the occasion of the UAE’s 51st National Day and are pleased to announce our competitions.

"On this important day for the nation, we are attracting their projects in the corridors of the ancient track with the help of a number of young Emirati entrepreneurs who own small and medium-sized businesses, as well as organizing a mini art exhibition to publish the works of young artists in each race.

"In appreciation of this precious occasion, the main feature race has been named The Union 51 Cup, and we extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to our sponsoring partners who contribute to supporting this sport and the event dear to all of our hearts, wishing all participants success in the upcoming festival."