Saturday, December 18, 2010

UAE bred fillies to clash in Abu Dhabi feature

The Abu Dhabi Fillies' Classic is the highlight of Abu Dhabi's Sunday fixture and 12 have been declared for the 1600m Prestige contest restricted to three-year-old fillies foaled in the UAE.

The only winner amongst them is top-weight Athena, trained by Ahmed Al Shamsi and a dual winner on the course over 1400m. She is penalised for those victories but reunited with apprentice Antioco Murgia who rode her to both victories.


Her closest challenger on the second of those was the re-opposing AF Alriaah whose trainer Gill Duffield was in fine form last week when saddling a course treble. She looks a big danger as that was her racecourse debut and she looked in need of the experience. She is the mount of Tadhg O'Shea who said: "That was a pleasing debut and the yard are flying. She will not be far away."

The only Thoroughbred race on the card is the concluding 1400m maiden in which 14 have been declared. The Erwan Charpy-trained Chitchatnthechapel ran well on his only previous outing over this course and distance and is respected, while Never Cry represents the in-form Satish Seemar and is the choice of stable jockey Richard Mullen.

Chase Me has been a revelation since stepping up to 2200m and should make a bold bid to complete a course and distance treble in the handicap over that staying trip.

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