The fifth leg of the President of the UAE Cup is set for an exciting re-match between Akoya and Mashur Al Khalediah at the Wellington racecourse in Belgium on Monday
Held under the patronages of both His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has drawn a field of 14 for the Group 3 prize for a prize fund of €30,000.
The races series is coordinated and conducted under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Akoya edged out Mashur Al Khalediah in their last meeting at the San Siro racetrack in Italy more than a month ago but the latter having his first run for the season is set to come from that run in the re-match.
Akoya carries a 3-kilogram penalty for his win last time out but that may not be a problem for the Karin van den Bos-trained runner who has won seven of his 14 starts.
Confidence is also high in the Mahur Al Khalediah camp with the owner His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud confident the horse will come good from his first run for the season.
“We are still at the beginning of the season and Mashur Al Khalediah will benefit from this run,” he said after that race.
“It was a strong field and a close result. Mashur Al Khalediah will continue with his campaign for the season and return stronger for his next race.”
