Leo Powell

TWO $1 million races are the headline acts on a lucrative card to be staged at Al Rayyan racecourse in Doha today. The HH The Emir’s Trophy is for thoroughbreds and the HH The Emir’s Sword is for purebred Arabians. The Blue Eye and Gazwan will both attempt to defend their crowns.

A maximum field of 16 will contest the thoroughbred race and it features an international field. There was disappointment for connections of the local favourite The Blue Eye, a son of Dubawi, when he drew stall 15.

A mid-field draw was the hope but trainer Jassim Ghazali remains hopeful.

“There is pressure. There are some really good horses that have come from outside, from Europe, the US. However the reason I am looking forward to this race is because we can see the level of horses in Qatar against international opposition. If a Qatar horse wins, that showcases the level of our horses in the face of a strong opposition. That is big.

He concluded: “The Blue Eye is ready for the race and we will give our best to keep the cup in Qatar.”

Alban de Mieulle saddles the ex-French pair Migwar and Duke Of Dundee, and he hopes to upset the favourite. When asked which of his pair he favoured he was adamant. “For me it is Migwar; he is a very good horse.”

The German-trained Noor Al Hawa, winner of the Qatar Derby, is drawn four and connections are confident he will stay the trip. Frankie Dettori rides the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Arab Spring. He is drawn 10 and his preparations are said to have been good.

Doug O’Neill saddles the first US-trained runner in Qatar, Royal Albert Hall, who has the perfect draw in stall seven, while the Richard Fahey stable is represented by Gabrial who will be making his 60th start.