ABU DHABI //Fryvolous will be out to turn the tables on stablemate Time Out on Sunday night in the National Day Cup for Purebred Arabians, the first Group 1 event of the season at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
The two clashed just two weeks ago in the National Day Cup Prep race at the capital when Time Out, under Wayne Smith, got the better of the multiple Group 1 winner. Both are saddled by Ernst Oertel, who trains for Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the President of the UAE.
"Fryvolous is the one with the better credentials, and he should come out well from his first start of the season, but I expect both my horses to run their own races as both and run well," said Oertel, who took charge of Sheikh Khalifa's Al Asayl Stables in the summer.
Ted Durcan retains his ride on Fryvolous, the National Day Cup victor in 2008 and the winner of the 2009 Kahayla Classic, the Arabian showpiece and traditional opener of the Dubai World Cup meeting.
Time Out will be ridden by Patrick Cosgrave for the suspended Smith.
Eric Lemartinel also has two runners in the race with Neishan and Albar Lotois. Gerald Avranche, the Bahrain-based Frenchman, who is the stables first choice jockey, has opted for the six-year-old son of Akbar.
David Badel is booked on Nieshan.
The 14-runner field for the mile trip also includes Dynamite, the winner of the race in 2006 and last year.
Jaasoos looks the pick in the thoroughbred equivalent. The seven-year-old chestnut gelding, trained by Dhruba Selvaratnam, was an impressive second behind Alazeyab at Meydan Racecourse 17 days ago.
War Monger, Montmorency and Il Grande Maurizio, a recent winner at Meydan, pose the main threat.
THE CARD
5pm: Al Khaleej Conditions
5.30pm: Ras Al Akdar Maiden
6pm: Wathba Stud Farm Cup
6.30pm: National Day Cup (Thoroughbreds)
7pm: National Day Cup (purebred Arabians)
7.30pm: Baniyas Handicap (rated 0-70)