The 2009 UAE racing season opens this week with a triple-header led by racing at Jebel Ali on Friday, the return to racing at Sharjah on Saturday, and a meeting at Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Entries were released for the the meetings on Tuesday and there will be no action lacking at the three facilities.
The highlight of the opening trio will be Friday’s open condition event for sprinting thoroughbreds. A field of ten will gather to run 1000 meters at Jebel Ali in the featured third race with a 120,000 AED purse. Hammadi, top-rated for trainer Doug Watson, is the likely favorite. The 4-year-old son of Red Ransom has one win and one placing in two starts at Jebel Ali, including one of the course’s top events, the 2009 Jebel Ali Sprint (Listed). Hammadi often races with prominence and is expected to be on point again. Friday’s start will be his first since a respectable seventh in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1).
Dubai International Racing Carnival veterans Escape Route and Sea Hunter, both racing for Her Royal Highness Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, are highly rated. Escape Route was victorious at last year’s closing meeting at Jebel Ali, defeating a well-heeled field of 16 by almost two lengths. Jaasoos adds intrigue to the field following two, 2008 Winter Racing Challenge scores at Nad Al Sheba while racing for Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Click HERE for the declarations.