What A Metal will be looking to rock the show at Jebel Ali on Friday

By Duane Fonseca

Dubai: A six race card is the offering this Friday at Jebel Ali Racecourse with a Shadwell Farm sponsored 1000m Conditions sprint the pick of the afternoon’s action.

Valued at Dh100,000, the race bites into a major chunk of the Dh424,000 on offer throughout the card and features a relatively tidy field of 11 that includes course and distance Raakezz, who runs in the colours of racecourse patron His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and What A Metal, who represents His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

Heavy Metal: Salem bin Ghadayer's What A Metal powered to a fine maiden success at Jebel Ali over C&D (ERA)

Jebel Ali resident trainer and jockey combine of Nicholas Bachalard and Ryan Curatolo have won two of the five times they’ve ventured together this season and that might be a good sign despite Raakezz making his seasonal bow in the company of Salem bin Ghadayer’s What A Metal, a massive three and a quarter length victor here a month ago over the trip.

Bachalard dispatches a total of three runners during the course of the afternoon with Top Clearance participating in the 1400m handicap and 2yo Tamarkuz colt Tahdeed making his first career start in the 1000m maiden that will be contested as the penultimate race.

Bachalard is looking forward to the afternoon and in particular to the feature where he singled out Bin Ghadayer’s charge What A Metal as the one to beat.

“We run three horses this week and Raakezz takes part in the feature which is over a distance he likes. He has a good draw too and if he can break well he should have a chance,” said the French conditioner.

“But What A Metal has won over the course already this year and that’s why he’ll probably have a small edge on us fitness wise. But as long as Raakezz runs well we’ll be happy.

Beginners luck? Bachalard trained Raakezz won over C&D on his first career start last season (ERA)

“With regards to the 2yo Tahdeed, we hope he can break well and we hope he can have a good year because our ultimate goal this season is to try and be present on Dubai World Cup night and find runners that can take us there through the Guineas and then on to the Derby.”

Of Top Clearance, Bachalard added: “We are trying something different with him and I hope he will come back and have a better chance another day because he hasn’t run this distance in over five years.”

Satish Seemar sends out Emblem Sky and Mass Media, with Doug Watson fielding Far Sky. Le Factor runs out for Musabbeh Al Mheiri, while Ali Rashid Al Rayhi dispatches Feriyal.

Returning Rashed Bouresly’s yard is represented by Morrabbi Al Ajjial and You’re My Rock, while Jaber Ramadhan has Raahy and Mohammed Rahman pins his hopes on Major Cinnamon.

SELECTIONS

14:00 TB Maiden 1400m Dirt

Al Hadeer finished second two weeks ago and should come forward from that, with Shadwell teammate Masaali also one to watch out for having warmed up with a third place finish over track and trip a month back. Manhunter appeals most from the rest. (Duane Fonseca)

Al Hadeer Masaali Manhunter

14:30 TB Handicap 1400m Dirt

Shadwell owned pair Shajjy and Almoreb once again seem to have it with teammate Fawaareq worthy of carry the outsider’s tag. Neither has won in the UAE before though and with Bin Ghadayer’s yard showing good early form Daily Bulletin might just about make headlines. (Duane Fonseca)

Daily Bulletin Almoreb Shajjy

15:00 TB Handicap 1200m Dirt

Having warmed up at Meydan over 1400m should help the cause of Iftitah, while jockey Bernardo Pinheiro’s recent form could bring forth a colourful performance from Off White. Abu Dhabi Racing pair of Space Bandit and Times Past might be the others worth considering too having run before this term. (Duane Fonseca)

Iftitah Space Bandit Off White

15:30 TB Conditions 1000m Dirt

Raakezz was explosive over track and trip last term and Bachalard will be looking for some more fireworks even though he might have picked stylish C&D winner here last month What A Metal to have the edge over the rest of the field. Emblem Sky runs lighter than the aforementioned pair and that could be a real advantage at the hill. (Duane Fonseca)

Raakezz What A Metal Emblem Sky

16:00 TB Maiden 1000m Dirt

Hard to pick without any form available but on the basis of early stable form you’d have to go for either Uncle Hamed, Tahdeed or Line Of Sunshine, with Seemar’s Cross The Ocean definitely a worthy consideration as the top outsider. (Duane Fonseca)

Uncle Hamed Cross The Ocean Tahdeed

16:30 TB Handicap 1950m Dirt

Fraserburgh rolled up his sleeves and worked his way to a massive C&D win on his first start this term and was a fiesty second over 1800m on his follow up. Going by the form shown by his handler Bin Ghadayer another tough performance can definitely be expected from the 10yo Shamardal gelding. Cranesbill opened with a third behind him in that C&D success and is definitely one to take note of with Rougher another seemingly hardy prospect. (Duane Fonseca)

Fraserburgh Cranesbill Rougher