Sharjah Longines Racecourse will host its first meeting of the 2021-22 season on Saturday, October 30, with six races scheduled to kick off at 2:00 p.m
October 28, 2021 (Sharjah, UAE) – Sharjah Longines Racecourse will host its first meeting of the 2021-22 season on Saturday, October 30, with six races scheduled to kick off at 2:00 p.m. (14:00). Chief among those is the AED 100,000 HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup for Purebred Arabians over 1700m (about 8.5 furlongs). A prestige handicap, it has drawn a highly competitive overflow field of 16 with two reserves.
Topping the ratings at 80 is 9-year-old ES Nahawand, a UAE-bred Mohamed Daggash-trained four-time victor owned by Amhed Mohd Saif Murshed Al Marar. Consistent and appreciative of these conditions, he won over course and distance one year ago and has proven to be able to fire off a layoff. Pat Dobbs picks up the mount.
Veteran rider Adrie de Vries takes the reins on Al Wathba Racing’s Musheer Al Wathba, who makes his first start at Sharjah Longines for Jean de Roüalle. The son of Tahar de Candelon was a prestige handicap victor in March 2020 at Al Ain, but has raced sparingly since and failed to seriously factor in three runs in 19 months. Just a 5-year-old, the chestnut entire has every right to return to form.
Saad bin Suhail Salim Bahwan’s Omani invader Al Mufham SB has already proven an affinity for course and distance when winning in handicap company on April 3 and reunites with regular pilot Al Moatase Al Balushi from a well-drawn post four. A winner of four of his seven starts, the improving 4-year-old has won his last four races on dirt.
The always-capable yard of Ernst Oertel has entered a pair in AF Alajaj (Tadhg O’Shea aboard) and AF Kal Noor (Malin Holmberg)—both banner-bearers of champion owner Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda. Drawing well on lights weights of 53.5kgs and 53kgs, the pair have won five of their 14 collective starts, with the former a 3-for-4, progressive sort who can run on either surface.
Five-time winner Hareer Al Reef and dual victor Sufyan must be respected in this spot for their connections and top the remainder of a field that includes Gandalf de Pompadour, Munfared, AF Ramz, AF Tayesh, Al Ajeeb W’rsan, Ashton Tourettes, Hazeem Al Raed, Mujahid and Only Smoke.
The nightcap handicap and lone Thoroughbred fixture is also over 1700m. HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s 11-year-old five-time winner Fraserburgh will look to turn back time under Xavier Ziani, but must tote 59.5kgs in the process. Meanwhile, stablemate Lahmoom, less than half his age at five, appears well-spotted in this affair for trainer Salem bin Ghadayer.
Reigning UAE champion trainer Doug Watson has entered three, including EERC’s Rougher, who will try to live up to the promise he has often flashed in his unsuccessful efforts. Sultan Ismail Ahmad Abdulla Albalooshi’s Obeyaan and Salman Ali Alsabri’s Poet’s Mind give Watson a strong hand in this 12-horse test. Like Rougher, each has shown promise in the past and may have benefited from a summer of rest and relaxation.
A pair of Purebred Arabian maidens and handicaps, respectively, make up the day’s first four races, including an exciting straight 1000m/five-furlong maiden sprint in front of the grandstand to kick off the day. Oertel and Al Nabooda hold a three-pronged army in each of the maidens, topped by Tadhg O’Shea-piloted AF Marmuq in the sprint opener and AF Mukhrej in the 2000m second race. Both handicaps appear wide-open affairs over Sharjah’s niche 1700m distance on a day that will welcome back fans to the popular racecourse.
For info on the Best Breeders’ Cup Seminar click HERE.
Emirates Racing Association Press Release
