Russian Rock sweats on Golden Shaheen call up

Russian Rock's hopes of claiming a spot in the $2 million (Dh7.35 million) Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night have been left hanging by a thread despite his convincing victory in the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint yesterday. The connections of the fast-improving five-year-old are sweating on the outcome of a crucial Dubai Racing Club meeting tomorrow where it could be decided if he gets the nod or not. Russian Rock is currently rated 107, but it seems unlikely that the handicapper will give him more than a pound for yesterday's win, considering he only won a Listed contest and beat moderately handicapped horses. However, trainer Musabah Al Muhairi, who made history by winning all three Listed races at Jebel Ali this season, is keeping his fingers crossed. "I know he may not be rated high enough to get into the Golden Shaheen, but I think the horse deserves an invitation," he told Gulf News. ‘Dream for all of us' "He may or may not get in the race, but we are keeping our fingers crossed that the committee will allow him to run on Dubai World Cup night. "It will be a dream for all of us, the owner Fathi Esaed Mohammad Egziama and Wayne [Smith, jockey] if Russian Rock is given a chance to compete against the best sprinters in the world. "This is what racing is all about, having a horse and training him to be the best that he can be. And I think he is in the form of his life and we are really praying that he can get invitation to the big race. "I understand that the handicapper has to do what's best for the race, but we're hopeful. I'm not sure if I'm going to sleep until we know the answer." The Golden Shaheen is a Group One contest that has attracted 275 nominations from 15 countries, including the past two winners of the race in Kinsale King and Rocket Man plus exciting Australian sprinter Sepoy. Meanwhile. resident Jebel Ali Racecourse handler Dhruba Selvaratnam and jockey James Doyle teamed up to win three of the day's races with Kessraa, Tesslam and Mulaat.