(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Racing legend Frankie Dettori and experienced trainer Julian Smart yesterday refused to predict a winner from this week's H H The Emir's Sword Race, but promised that the stage was set for 'fierce battles'.
Dettori, who will ride Al Shaqab Racing's Farh in Qatar's richest race on Thursday, said 'anything could happen' while Smart - who has three entries out of seven - declined to name a winner.
"Yes, it is a small field on Thursday. Anything could happen," Dettori said as equestrian fans prepared for the first of three days of racing starting today.
"There are lot of runners who can win. You have to be at the best of your game to win," the celebrated 44-year-old Italian added.
Dettori, who has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races, said riders will have to jostle for good positions at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) track on Thursday.
"The race is very competitive. The track is sharp. There are lot of runners who can win," Dettori said.
"You have to be at the top of your game to win. It is a very sharp track, very quick. The straight is less than 400 meters so you have to be really on the ball. A good position is always important," he added just hours after landing in Doha yesterday.
Smart will be hoping Taraf, Al Majh'Hoor and Djainka Des Forges bring delight on Thursday when Jassim Al Ghazali-trained Vetlana De Faust will race with highly rated British jockey Harry Bentley.
Dettori will bid for Emir's Sword honours on Thursday with 6-year-old Farh who is trained by Jean-Francois Bernard.
On Thursday, Dettori will also guide Al Ghazali-trained Dubday in the H H The Emir's Trophy race.
Smart, who has enjoyed 21 wins this season, said he wont commit to making predictions.
"As Frankie said it is a small field this year. It is a little bit disappointing that only seven top class horses this year," Smart said.
"My horses are in good form. Taraf is in good form and so are Al Majh'Hoor and Djainka Des Forges. And they have to be in good form," he added.
"It is a small field. Any one from the seven can win. The two entries of Sheikh Joaan's are good too. Any horse can win the race," Smart insisted.
Al Ghazali, who has managed an astonishing 98 race wins this season, said he 'feels ready for wins' this weekend.
"Each race is very important. All the horses are in good condition and all the races are important in some way or the other," the Qatari said.
"I have best horses ready for these three days. I have another set of horses also. I think we have good chance to win. I have some legends in our camp," he added.
"You can't predict which horses can win. Every entry has chance to win.
"The best horses can also lose. So it is not easy to pick winners. Tactics are important. I like a jockey who does what I tell him to do," Al Ghazali said.
Al Ghazali will have four runners in the H H The Emir's Trophy race on Thursday including Dubday to be ridden by Dettori.
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