The 8 January meeting at Jebel Ali is headlined by a AED120,000 conditions event over 1,400 meters that drew a field of 12 and will be contested as the third race of the card. War Monger, top-rated at 113, is making his 14th career start, the first that is not on a grass course. The son of War Chant has been off since a lackluster performance in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Santa Anita. A Doug Watson trainee, he is likely being aimed for turf races at the Carnival, while two others from the Watson barn, Barbecue Eddie and Green Coast will also take their spots in the feature.
Green Coast was a strong second in his first start since an unplaced run in the Godolphin Mile (G2). Daragh O’Donohue will be back aboard for the ride after finishing 1.5 lengths behind Montpellier on December 4 at Jebel Ali. Erwan Charpy sends out Commander Cave, hopelessly beaten in a turf try at Abu Dhabi a fortnight back off a 13-month layoff but has three wins from eight starts over synthetic surfaces in the UK. The horse by Tale of the Cat raced in Godolphin blue before the long break. Kevin Shea has the ride.
The first race of the six event meeting is a conditions event for 3-year-olds run over 1,200 meters and has drawn a field of 16. Mike De Kock sends Boss Professor for his career debut along with stablemate Jodi, making her third lifetime start. Both were private purchases from South America and race in the colors of Mohammed Jaber Abdullah. Satish Seemar has a pair of Saudi youngsters making their second lifetime starts, including Exceedingly Fast, second to Bailerus in his debut at Jebel Ali a few weeks back.
Good luck and enjoy Friday’s card at Jebel Ali.