Star Crowned is aptly named for the featured sprint in the opening meeting at Jebel Ali, in which the son of Kingmambo is fancied to take a big slice of the Dh120,000 prize. Rashed Bouresly's runner had a terrific last season. He was fifth behind the outstanding Australian sprinter Takeover Target in the Krisflyer International Sprint in Singapore and third to the American speedsters Benny The Bull and Idiot Proof in the Golden Shaheen at the Dubai World Cup.
Bouresly said: "He's a nice and honest horse, and does the job to the best of his ability. He comes fresh after a good summer's break and let us hope he runs a good first race." The 11 runners in today's sprint have all finished behind Star Crowned and the one that still troubles him most is Salaam Dubai, last year's winner of this race but subsequently finishing behind Star Crowned in three of his next four starts.
The first meeting at the popular racecourse kicks off at 2.30pm with a handicap rated 50-75 over the 1,600-metre distance, and the champion trainer Doug Watson's veteran campaigner Tri Another Cat is expected to claim this prize from Storyville. Dhruba Selvaratnam's Chun Tosaigh is fancied half hour later from his younger brother Adityan's pair Moon Belaadi and debutant Altro Stratus. Musabah al Muhairi's Celtic King looks the one to beat in the penultimate race and Selvaratnam can sign off by claiming the final race with Mannjal, an eye-catching second to Aamaaq on his reappearance a fortnight ago.
apassela@thenational.ae
