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All eyes on Alo Pura

The five-year-old Anabaa mare won a handicap event on seasonal debut over course and distance under Kieren Fallon three weeks ago and should be able to repeat the show in Thursday’s test with three kilos and a half off her back.

Irish trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam said: “This looks a stronger race but we know conditions suit her and she remains in good form.”

Dohasa and Force Freeze, two sprinters who earned invitations to the previous Dubai World Cup race meeting, will pose the immediate threat.

Dohasa was penalised for a victory at Jebel Ali at his previous start when ridden by Ted Durcan, who retains the mount.

Durcan said: “We have a nice draw but do have ground to make up on Alo Pura on course and distance form, but we were badly drawn that time. The 1200m should be ideal, as we needed every yard of 1000m at Jebel Ali. He will run well but it is a good race.”

Former champion trainer Doug Watson who saddles Force Freeze said: “Force Freeze is hopefully capable of building on his promising first season with us.”

In the second feature of the night, the sixth and final race on the card over 2200m around the course, Swinging Sixties will be back under William Buick to go one better after a nail-biting defeat over a shorter distance at the same course a fortnight ago.

Tayyab, Wayne Smith up, has every chance to put his head first in the 1200m handicap second race of the night, which attracted eight runners rated 70-95 going to post.

Formerly trained by Mike de Kock, the five-year-old son of Belong To, made a most welcome return to the track earlier in the month after nearly three years’ lay-off. Trainer Musabah Al Muhairi said: “Tayyab has been training very well and seemed to have thrown the long lay-off time behind his back. He did a nice job and denied on the line over a 1400 metre trip. I think the shortened distance would suit him better.”

The other conditions race, the Ford Mustang Trophy, over 1400m, is restricted to three-year-olds with the field of 12 including two course and distance maiden winners. The Satish Seemar-trained Saudi Summer won at the first Meydan meeting of the new season when his victims included subsequent winner Maath Gool.

Wayne Smith partners the latter and said: “He is hopefully going the right way and a horse we have always liked. This is a step up in class but he deserves it.”

Parvaaz, a three-time winner in England this year, is an interesting local debutant for Selvaratnam, while Watson’s Dhergaam should build on his appearance from last week back in his own age group. Go Country and Energia Colonial are two others to consider in an open race.

KT Selections: 1. Cicago May/ Treachery/ Freedom Call 2. Tayyab/ Indian Skipper/ My Verse 3. Parvaaz/ Saudi Summer/ Maath Gool 4. For Once/ Dan Chillingworth/ Fantastic Dubai 5. Alo Pura/ Yirga/ Montpellier 6. Swinging Sixties/ Royal Prince/ Dr Faustus

Day’s Best: Alo Pura

hisham@khaleejtimes.com