Costa mob-handed on Sunday

Trainer Michael Costa is among those hoping for a successful Sunday as Meydan Racecourse hosts a six-race card, including four turf races and two on dirt.

There are three races with prize funds of AED95,000, including the official feature, the Fazaa Gold Handicap, race four. The 2410metre turf event has attracted a field of 10, including Waathig (pictured), who broke his maiden last time out at Jebel Ali. He is one of five runners on the card for trainer Costa, who remains in excellent form.

“Waathig posted a dominant win last start but has to step up in grade now,” said Costa, who has nine wins so far this season. “He has come on since last run but we will just have to see how he stacks up in this grade.”

A couple of Waathig’s rivals made eye-catching local debuts, including Sea Stone, fourth to Zucchini here over 2000metres two weeks’ ago, and Deciduous, fifth behind Sari Dubai last week. Getting in off bottom weight is the well-bred Galileo gelding Act Of Wisdom, sixth last time over 2000metres.

“Act Of Wisdom is back at the distance we are looking for, but unfortunately there are too little of these races in the UAE,” said trainer Elise Jeanne. “This is the first time Oscar [Chavez] will have ridden him but we’re looking forward to the race.”

The 1800metre Fazaa Platinum Handicap, race five, sees Perfect Love top the weights for trainer Julio Olascoaga. Without a win in seven local starts, the four-year-old has run well in defeat this season, including when fourth over 1400metres last time out at Jebel Ali.

“Perfect Love was entered at Abu Dhabi on Thursday but we opted for Meydan as we think it will suit him better,” said Olascoaga. “Marcelino Rodrigues will claim 3kg off him and we expect that will improve his chances.”

Perfect Love faces nine rivals, including Stormy Ocean, who makes his local debut for Simon and Ed Crisford, while Rashed Bouresly’s Al Khaldie, a half-brother to G2 Godolphin Mile winner Heavy Metal, makes his Meydan debut after winning on his first start at Jebel Ali two weeks’ ago.

The first of the AED95,000 races is the Fazaa Silver Handicap, race 3, over 1600metres on dirt. There are plenty in with chances, including Justice Protecol, winner of his last two at Jebel Ali, and Hyde Park, successful here three weeks’ ago over course and distance when he beat the reopposing Triple Venture.

The opening Fazaa Senior Citizen Maiden, over 1200metres on turf, gives Harvest Gold, placed four times over course and distance this season, a good chance of getting off the mark.

“Harvest Gold is an honest and consistent horse,” said trainer Jeanne of the five-year-old. “Oscar [Chavez] has ridden him once before. “We are worried about having to run him back again so soon after his last run, but unfortunately we had no choice with the racing programme offered.”

Up against Harvest Gold is Torrkee, third in this equivalent race last year. A disappointing ninth here over 1400metres last time out, Costa is hopeful he has put that behind him.

“Torrkee is back to six furlongs [1200metres] and the gear change to help him settle should suit,” he said. “He is better than his last run suggests.”

Costa also has a strong chance in race two, the Fazaa Discount Maiden, over 1900metres on dirt, with Alhzeem, second on latest two starts at Jebel Ali.

“He’s knocking on the door for a win and this seems a suitable race in which to do so,” said the trainer of the five-year-old, who was fifth on his only start on Meydan’s dirt.

Costa is double handed in the final race, the Fazaa Hemam Handicap, over 1400metres on turf. The Jebel Ali Stables trainer runs Sadeedd and Eljenob, who makes his Dubai debut having left Simon and Ed Crisford in the UK.

“Sadeedd has a long time between runs and goes over to the turf,” said the trainer of the six-year-old, who was second here on dirt in early December. “We expect him to run well but some nice mile races back at Jebel Ali will be more his cup of tea in coming weeks.”

Of Dabirsim gelding Eljenob, a maiden after three starts, he added: “Eljenob goes first up in a handicap. He still has his UK winter coat but he’s been working well. This will be a nice stepping stone for a mile maiden following week.”

Racing gets underway at 2:30pm with gates opening at 12pm. There are a range of packages available, including the new Parade Ring Lounge brunch, which starts at AED295. For bookings, visit Dubairacingclub.com