(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM)) Friday afternoon's Jebel Ali race meeting is highlighted by the first of the track's three major races, the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes.
First run in 1993, Musabah Al Muhairi made history last year when becoming the first trainer to saddle the winner in three consecutive seasons with the victory of Interpret following two wins by Treble Jig.
Although Interpret was among the entries this year, he was not declared, leaving Silver Galaxy to represent the Oasis Stables-based handler and stable jockey, Silvestre De Sousa.
The four-year-old made his debut in late November and was beaten on his first two outings, but has won both his subsequent starts € one over 1600m and the other over 1800m - at Jebel Ali.
"I have a full book of rides on Friday," said De Sousa. "Of the six, Silver Galaxy in the big race is definitely the one I am most looking forward to. He has improved with each start and his work at home suggests he is still on the upgrade.
"It is a big step up in class for him but we think he deserves to take his chance in this better company. He should run well." He faces nine rivals, including the Doug Watson-trained Jutland, runner-up in the race two years ago but well beaten last year. The mount of Pat Dobbs, he won his only pervious start this season, over course and distance, at the end of November.
"We deliberately gave him a break this season," said Watson. "These are his optimum conditions and he is fresh and well. Giving him a space between the two races was definitely the right thing to do and he is in great form at home. "Silver Galaxy looked good the last day but this is a better race and we should give him a run for his money." Satish Seemar saddles three with stable jockey, Richard Mullen, choosing Mawhub; like Silver Galaxy, twice a course winner already this season with his two victories both over 1800m.
The race is sponsored by Shadwell Farm, the American arm of the breeding empire of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the leading owner has two runners in the race.
His first jockey, Paul Hanagan, rides the Erwan Charpy-trained Sefri with second jockey, Dane O'Neill, aboard Mutajare for Ali Rashid Al Raihe. O'Neill's mount was second in the race 12 months ago.
Dhruba Selvaratnam trains on the track for racecourse patron, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and relies on Dormello under stable jockey Oisin Murphy. Seeking a fourth win in the race, Selvaratnam said, "He should run well but it looks a good renewal. Silver Galaxy has been impressive in his two wins and is probably the one to beat." The main support race is the Jebel Ali Mile Prep which has attracted a select field of five, headed by last year's winner Colmar Kid who has to give weight to his four rivals. He is trained by Al Muhairi as is Atlantic Brave, a winner at Meydan last week, his first success away from Jebel Ali, and the choice of De Sousa.
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