Sharjah stage their final meeting of the campaign on Saturday afternoon, the 1700m The Ruler Of Sharjah Trophy, afforded Prestige status and which has attracted a field of eight.
The race would appear to revolve around one horse, Hamza, to be ridden by Tadhg O’Shea for Sheikh Khalifa, a combination that has landed the last two renewals of this race.
Trained by Eric Lemartinel, Hamza is making his dirt debut, which is always a concern but, on official ratings, is a far better horse than his seven opponents. He has won twice, both in the UAE where he will be having his seventh start of a relatively busy campaign.
Having won a 1400m on the Abu Dhabi turf on his local debut in November, he returned to winning ways, also at Abu Dhabi, in the Emirates Colts’ Classic, on his most recent outing.
Another Prestige contest, that was over 1600m and he and O’Shea led all the way, tactics they may well try and employ on this first dirt foray.
O’Shea said: “He is a nice, young horse whose form is very solid. He trains on dirt and seems to handle it so hopefully the surface will not be an issue and he should be the one to beat.”
Stable companion, Men Alemarat, is seeking just a second career victory, having won a 2000m maiden at Al Ain in January. He is, therefore, at least proven on dirt and was a very close second in the inaugural Al Ain Derby, a Prestige race over 1800m, on his most recent start.
On that occasion, he was caught on the line by the Mohd Ramadan-trained ES Kwashi and there should be little between the pair again.
Ramadan said: “I train on the track at Al Ain so that was a very special win and the horse has now won his last two. He should run well.”
Fernando Jara takes the ride on a horse he partnered a 1000m success on his penultimate run. This trio are all 4yos and the opposition includes three 5yos, including the Helal Al Alawitrained Ahmadani, second in this race last year.
Royston Ffrench, in the saddle then and again on Friday, said: “We were beaten by a very good horse in Abhaar last year and there is nothing of that class in this year’s race.
“Hamza looks the one to beat if he handles the surface but at least my fellow’s proven on it.”
The Doug Watson-trained Hakim, also representing the elder generation, is another to consider under Pat Dobbs.
Watson said: “We expect a big run from him and we have been looking forward to running him at Sharjah in this race.”
The Sharjah Marathon is the finale with eight declared for the 2700m handicap. Sheikh Zayed, Lemartinel and O’Shea again combine, this time with Rabdan.
Watson’s The Secret, owned by Sheikh Hamdan, whose retained jockey Paul Hanagan takes the mount, won three times at Sharjah in the early part of the season.