ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club host the fourth consecutive day of racing here in the UAE on Sunday with a seven race card highlighted by the only Thoroughbred contest, a 1600m handicap. The race has attracted the maximum field allowed of 14 but only representing six individual trainers.

Leading the way in terms of numbers is Maria Ritchie who will saddle four, two owned by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, who has a total of three in the race. Jim Crowley elects to partner Mutawakked and Dane O’Neill chooses Sahaafy, half of the handler’s quartet. Stable jockey Fernando Jara has opted for Muhtaram who, along with Sahaafy, is conceding weight to their 12 rivals.

Tadhg O’Shea, leading the jockeys’ table this season rides the fourth, Special Boy and he said: “The yard are hitting form so it is nice to get a spare ride, especially on Special Boy; I have ridden him four times and he has run well each time and, last time I partnered him on turf, we won in China in April 2015. Hopefully he can produce another good effort in what looks a very competitive race.”

On his penultimate start also in China last April, Special Boy was third to stable companion, Muhtaram, when State Law, in opposition again for Doug Watson was second. Watson’s pupil was also runner-up on his latest outing, in a 2000m dirt handicap at Meydan and is joined in the field by stablemate Say No More who will actually be making his turf debut. “State Law ran well in China and then again on his seasonal return, at Abu Dhabi, in November, as well as his most recent start two weeks ago,” Watson said. Satish Seemar saddles three with stable jockey, Richard Mullen, aboard Galesburg suggesting he could be the main hope for the team at Zabeel Stables. He has been running well all season, finishing third once and second three times in his four outings.