Golden Shaheen third Salaam Dubai headlines Jebel Ali card

For immediate release:  Thursday, November 22

(Dubai's other racecourse that opens the exciting racing season in November. STS insert) 

Ace sprinter Salaam Dubai is the star turn as racing returns to Jebel Ali on Friday after the summer break with a seven-race card sponsored by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Shadwell organisation.  

The Adi Selvaratnam-trained Salaam Dubai returns to action in the AED110,000 1000m conditions race, on the back of his magnificent third in the Group 1 US$2million Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night in March.  

Selvaratnam, however, is hopeful rather than confident of beating his nine opponents, saying: “He will need the run but if we don’t run him here there are very few options for him before the Dubai International Racing Carnival.  

“He worked at Nad Al Sheba the other morning and is ready for a race but it will bring him on a lot.

“He worked at Jebel Ali once last season and seemed to handle it but this will be his first race up the hill. Jockey Richard (Mullen) knows the horse well and we have to be hopeful.”

The race was won last year by Musabah Al Muhairi’s Machynleth who, along with stable companion Instant Recall, could provide stiff opposition should Saleem Dubai falter.

However, Satish Seemar’s Doctor Hilary, who goes well fresh and on the track, could be the main danger.

Running in the colours of HE Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum, he is ridden by retained jockey Ted Durcan, who said: “We all have Adi’s horse (Salaam Dubai) to beat according to the formbook but at least I know mine wont mind coming off a break and loves the hill. I rode him the other day and he is working well.”

Racing concludes with an intriguing 1400m handicap in which HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum holds a strong hand with three of the nine runners.

Of these, Doug Watson’s Alshawameq has won on the course, as has stable companion Muzdaher, but the former appears first choice on jockey bookings.

The third Sheikh Hamdan-owned runner Estihdaaf, one of two Ali Rashid Al Raihe runners, is ridden by Royston Ffrench.

For all the latest on racing in Dubai, please visit www.emiratesracing.com, www.dubairacingclub.com and www.drcnewswire.com

For further information please contact: Media Department, Dubai Racing Club
E-mail: media@dubairacingclub.com
Tel: +971 4 316 8653 Fax: +971 4 327 0048