Thursday, 25 March 2021 ~ Track Notes – Group 1 $750,000 Dubai Kahayla Classic Sponsored by Mubadala
AF Alwajel (UAE) – Ernst Oertel thinks distance should not be a problem for AF Alwajel, after having placed third over course and distance in the PA Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on February 25 as he finished five-and-a-quarter lengths behind Brraq, who also runs here.
For Saturday, AF Alwajel has been assigned the innermost stall 1 and his rider Tadhg O’Shea is confident of featuring at the finish. “He drew very well and we believe he will do well,” said O’Shea. “His last good workout was Sunday over this distance at the dirt track. The Al Maktoum Challenge R3 was the first time he went over a mile and a quarter and we feel he will improve for it. He’s trained well over the trip again and is looking strong.”
Al Zahir (UAE) – Trainer Ali Rashid Al Rayhi believes Al Zahir has taken to dirt well and is confident of a good run from the 8-year-old Madjani entire. Al Zahir jumps from stall 3 and Al Rayhi said: “He has come to run on dirt after a long time, but he seems to be enjoying it and he has done well with his work heading into the race. Now it’s over to raceday and about him having a good day at the office.
“He has a good draw and if he jumps well and keeps pace with the rest, he should have a definite chance. We are looking forward to him running on Saturday.”
The Shadwell representative will be ridden by Jim Crowley in the race and the jockey said: “He is a very good horse. Some of his best form has probably been on turf. We are hoping that he will run a good race but his best form has been in Abu Dhabi on the turf.”
Hajres (TUN) – Elisabeth Bernard was on the dirt track at Meydan on Thursday morning to watch Hajres jog and she said: “It’s very hot now and apparently it’s going to be even hotter on Saturday. Hajres worked yesterday and so this morning, he didn’t do much and because it’s so hot, he will do the same again tomorrow. I’m very happy with him though, he looks perfect to me.”
Hayyan (FR) – French raider Hayyan did his usual routine when he came onto the dirt track on Thursday morning and his trainer Frederic Sanchez said: “Seeing that Hayyan worked yesterday under Richard Mullen, he only jogged this morning. He is in great form, very supple and ate up. Tomorrow he will go for a canter and then it’s the big day.”
Mashhur Al Khalediah (KSA) – Came onto the dirt track on Thursday morning where he cantered once round the track and his trainer Philip Collington said: “He went back to the main track and just did a normal canter. It’s all good. He only went round once. We are drawn four, which is a good draw. Hopefully he gets out this time like he normally does. They are really happy with him. It’s hot, but he’s not having a terrible sweat, which is good.”
Mutwakel Al Khalediah (KSA) and Mubasher Al Khalediah (KSA) – Steady canter on the main track for both yesterday. They moved well under jockey Eddie Castro who has just arrived into Dubai from his Riyadh base. “I’m always very happy to come to Dubai, we just hacked one round of the track with the two. All is going to plan.,” he said.
