SULEIMAN ALTAF | @SuleimanAltaf
Race 1
Quite a strong hand for champion owner-elect YAS Racing in this. AAZAAD and Murhib Al Wathba look to be the two from their quartet to follow. The selection has competed in two strong condition events at Al Ain this season and the clear drop in grade could suit him very well. Murhib Al Wathba has been very consistent, and this looks a good opportunity for him with the apprentice to help. The Omani Adan A also faces a much lighter opposition that he has on his last twice and could be filling the frame.
AAZAAD (1)
MURHIB AL WATHBA (2)
ADAN A (8)
Race 2
The Moujaz form for RAJIH could prove too strong for this lot with Victoria Larsen’s 3kgs claim to assist. He has previously not been disgraced in defeat either. Recent big-margin maiden winner Qandil AW could be the chief threat with the winning momentum on his side while we got to witness a different Okacha last time when he was a fast-finishing fourth two weeks ago over a shorter trip so the extra real estate should very much be appreciated.
RAJIH (2)
QANDIL AW (4)
OKACHA (6)
Race 3
Mouzaffar De Monlau is perhaps the most deserving maiden in the country, and this looks the best opportunity he’s got this season yet. However, RB TO THE HOUSE has looked a bit green on his first two starts and he hasn’t been too far off Mouzaffar De Monlau on either start. He’s definitely much less exposed so gets the verdict.
RB TO THE HOUSE (8)
MOUZAFFAR DE MONLAU (3)
WAHHAAJ (4)
Race 4 - Al Ain Derby
MOUJAZ showed an impressive turn of foot when winning on his last start and that is hard to dismiss here. He could be a group horse in the making. Last start winner Maknoon should go well again and is an obvious danger with Raddad Al Wathba another one to consider over this 1800m trip.
MOUJAZ (4)
MAKNOON (2)
RADDAD AL WATHBA (8)
Race 5
Quite a tricky race, to be fair. JAP Jazil is the form horse, but his only dirt encounter yielded a distant last. Stablemate JAP Hamzah could hold stronger claims here instead. A few of these have been running well in defeat behind JAP Jazil on the turf and they have handled dirt. Those include Shaddad AW, MUHAREB BAYNOUNAH, and Almukhater. The first named in the list could be slightly vulnerable over this trip judged on his runs on the turf where he looked vulnerable in the closing stages over a mile. That said, Muhareb Baynounah and Almukhater, both of whom have been closing in well on the turf, could hold the aces. Both go well on dirt, but it is Muhareb Baynounah who stands out most, particularly with his proven liking for the Al Ain dirt. Mokheefa NF has racked up three wins in a row, sweeping the fillies Classics. This is obviously a lot tougher and she may not be comfortable with the kickback at Al Ain.
MUHAREB BAYNOUNAH (9)
ALMUKHATER (3)
SHADDAD AW (10)
Race 6
The clear pick is MOBADIR (nap) for trainer Qaiss Aboud who was so unlucky to be beaten by a nose on the post last start. He has landed stall one and mile is the perfect trip for him. Last start winners AF Mi’aad and Shamikh Baynounah look best of the rest.
MOBADIR (7)
AF MI’AAD (1)
SHAMIKH BAYNOUNAH (8)
Race 7
NIZAA AL WATHBA has been a bit of a frustration this season. He has looked like the winner on so many occasions before flattening his effort close home. Perhaps dropping down to this 1400m could well be right step for him. Owner mate Basil AW has also been a consistent type this season and he could give yet another bold showing. Going up in trip clearly didn’t work out for Jaziat Al Hosen last time, but he posted some good efforts previously so could be another one to keep onside now back in trip.
NIZAA AL WATHBA (5)
BASIL AW (2)
JAZIAT AL HOSEN (4)
Race 8
Samaa Al Gharbia was very impressive when winning at Abu Dhabi last start and could keep the winning momentum going here, although this looks a far stronger affair. One such danger is CAESAR HAWRAN who won a similar contest last year at a slightly higher mark than his current one. His third last start over 1800m from the front was eye-catching and over 1400m, he could play catch-me-if-you-can. Tayyar Al Wathba definitely needs longer than he gets here but he should be staying on well.
CAESAR HAWRAN (10)
SAMAA AL GHARBIA (2)
TAYYAR AL WATHBA (3)
Race 9 - Al Ain Sprint
Although it was a shock defeat for RB MONEY MAKER (NB) last start, he was drawn away from the speed on that occasion and finished off well. In stall 5 in a small field, he can just lead all the way. The Ibrahim Al Hadhrami pair of Al Faith and Sihrlau are clearly the next two in form with the first named, who has already beaten the selection twice this season, being the chief threat once again.
RB MONEY MAKER (5)
AL FATIH (2)
SIHRLAU (9)
