Racing Weekly Issue 11

ISSUE 11 10 JANUARY 2019

YOUR RACING DESTINATION

CROSS COUNTER

RAVEN'S CORNER

IFTITAH CONTINUES

SET FOR DUBAI GOLD CUP

WINS THE 1200M DUBAWI STAKES

SEEMAR-MULLEN HOT STREAK AT AL AIN

Celebrating the achievements of the industry from all over the world, we are

From all of us at The

proud to be your destination for racing news; bringing you articles from the

Racing Weekly, we

region and beyond of what you need to know about the industry and its way

wish you the very

forward. best!

Seasons have kicked off and others are continuing on from strength to strength with new surprises and exciting new hope that every one does have an opportunity to grow and become in the lead of this industry.

D. Rashed Managing Editor info@racing-weekly.com

04

06

08

14

16

CROSS COUNTER MELBOURNE CUP HERO CROSS COUNTER SET FOR DUBAI GOLD CUP ON MEYDAN'S BIG NIGHT

HEAVY METAL HEAVY METAL TO MAKE SOME NOISE AT MEYDAN

MEYDAN, THURSDAY RAVEN'S CORNER SILENCES DOUBTERS IN DUBAWI

BAHRAIN FAVOURITE KUHEILAAN AAFAS WINS TOP RACE

MEYDAN, SATURDAY MOSHAHER'S MONSTROUS DEBUT TOPS CARNIVAL-WORTHY NIGHT OF 'RACING AT MEYDAN'

4

MELBOURNE CUP HERO CROSS COUNTER SET FOR DUBAI GOLD CUP ON MEYDAN'S BIG NIGHT RACING POST Cross Counter, who made history by becoming the Brundtland in the same race on Dubai World Cup first British-trained winner of the Melbourne Cup,

night.

is set to have his next run in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan on March 30.

"After discussing his programme with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, we have pencilled in the Dubai

Trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, Cross

Gold Cup as a starting point for 2019, and we'll see

Counter won the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood in

where that takes us.

August before finishing second to stablemate Old Persian in the Great Voltigeur at York's Ebor

"It will be an opportunity for His Highness to see

meeting.

Cross Counter on the big night, and also for Godolphin fans in Dubai to give the horse the

He was then a fluent winner of the Melbourne Cup

home-town welcome he deserves."

under Kerrin McEvoy at Flemington in November.

The Melbourne Cup, Australia's showpiece race, "Cross Counter has come back from Melbourne

will again be the Teofilo gelding's main target this

stronger and brighter than ever and he has put on

year.

25kg in body weight – he looks great," said Appleby, who could also field Prix Niel winner

"A defence of his Melbourne Cup crown is an

obvious long-range target but we know he'll be

Meydan's trials night on Super Saturday before the

getting a lot more weight this time," said the

Dubai Turf.

trainer, whose team on World Cup night could also include Old Persian.

Blue Point, successful in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, has the Al Quoz Sprint – from

He could use the Dubai City of Gold on Super

which he was withdrawn seconds before the off

Saturday (March 9) as a prep for the Longines

last year after blood was spotted in his nostrils –

Dubai Sheema Classic, while Group 2 winner

on his radar and might also warm up for that on

Loxley may be aimed at the Jebel Hatta on

Super Saturday.

HEAVY METAL TO MAKE SOME NOISE AT MEYDAN GULF NEWS Dubai: Heavy Metal will bid to become only the

Meydan and the third leg of the Group 1 Al

second horse in history to win the Group 2 Al

Maktoum Challenge and Godolphin’s UAE 2000

Maktoum Challenge, the first of three key prep

Guineas sensation Gold Town.

races that lead up to the $10m (Dh36.7 million) Dubai World Cup (G1), when he lines-up alongside

Heavy Metal has been drawn in gate seven and

a classy field in Thursday’s showpiece race at

Jadhav said: “We were hoping for a better draw but

Meydan.

he has won the Godolphin Mile from nine so it should not be a big problem. “He is a strong horse

The last horse to achieve the feat was Le Bernadin

who works well, eats well and is in

in 2016-2017. good form overall so there are no excuses.

Trained by Sandeep Jadvav at the Fazza Racing Stables, Heavy Metal will be making his seasonal

“In my opinion, he should run a good race,” Jadhav

bow having last been seen storming home a

added.

popular winner of the Group 1 $1.5m Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night last March.

“North America is a big threat, but we think Heavy Metal can prove his class.”

Among his eight rivals are the Satish Seemartrained North America, a winner of five races at

Bhupat Seemar, assistant to Satish Seemar, trainer

of North America commented: “He’s in very good

Cup-winning trainer Charlie Appleby send out

form and ready to run.

Classic winner Gold Town as he seeks a maiden Al Maktoum Challenge (Round 1) trophy.

“But the mile is a bit short for him so he’s gonna improve from the race like he did last year when he

“The son of Street Cry is making his first

went on to win a Group One.

appearance since finishing fourth in the Group 2 UAE Derby over nine furlongs on Dubai World Cup

“He’s good to roll and this should be a good prep

night in March.

run for future races.”

Appleby commented: “He is taking on some highChampion trainer Doug Watson, who won this

class horses who have very strong form on the dirt

contest in 2013 with Barbecue Eddie, saddles three

at Meydan, but we feel that, if Gold Town can

contenders in Kimbear, Muntazah and Etijaah.

reproduce his UAE Guineas run, he will have a live chance.

“All three are in great shape. Kimbear came out of his first race well in the Garhoud Sprint and he’s

“The return to a mile will suit him and we can

had a nice break since then. He has a good draw

review whether to go back up in trip as the

and should do well,” Watson said.

Carnival progresses.”

“Muntazah has been doing well too since running

Thursday’s card also features the first leg of the

in Abu Dhabi and Etijaah is just a nice older horse

Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Sponsored By

who tries every time. So we’ll see how they

Yahsat for Purebred Arabians and the prep race

go.” Epsom Derby (G1) and Melbourne

for the UAE 2000 Guineas.

8

RAVEN'S CORNER SILENCES DOUBTERS IN DUBAWI, DREAM CASTLE LEADS TOP-5 SWEEP FOR GODOLPHIN IN SINGSPIEL; WINNERS FROM AUSTRALIA, UAE & UK HIGHLIGHT DWC CARNIVAL 2019 OPENING NIGHT ERA Meydan Racecourse hosted its first 2019 Dubai World

Sporting the colours of syndicate Touch Gold Racing,

Cup Carnival meeting

who own the 6-year-old gelded son of Raven’s Pass in partnership with Sean Ewing, Raven’s Corner has not

The opening night of the 2019 Dubai World Cup

always been straightforward in the starting stalls.

Carnival at Meydan featured the 1200m Dubawi Stakes

Unlike his seasonal debut, when fourth in the Garhoud

and 1800m Singspiel Stakes—both Group 3 and worth

Sprint (Listed) over the same course and distance, he

$200,000—with each providing thrilling stretch runs

did not miss the break and was always travelling well.

and popular victories. The evening also featured three

Sent to the lead 300m out, having stalked the frantic

wide-open, lucrative handicaps on turf and the UAE

early gallop of 23.84 seconds for 400m and 47.12 for

1000 Guineas Trial for newly turned 3-year-old fillies.

800m dictated by My Catch and High on Life, he was

Recap: DUBAWI STAKES (Group 3, $200,000)

never going to be caught by Drafted, who closed fiercely up the rail under Sam Hitchcott after a

Satish Seemar and Richard Mullen have a formidable

troubled trip. Already the course record holder for

record in the 1200m Dubawi Stakes presented by

1400m, he finished up the 1200m in 1:11.68. The son of

Longines Ladies Master Collection (G3), having won

Raven’s Pass now holds a record of 5-4-1 from 16 starts.

the race four times with UAE sprint legend Reynaldothewizard. They landed a fifth, this time with

“It’s fantastic,” said Mike Kaye, principal of Touch Gold

Raven’s Corner, who bested Doug Watson-trained

Racing. “We’ve been knocking on the door. Every time

favourite Drafted by 1¾ lengths.

we have run in graded races, we tend to get a wide

stall. We thought we had him absolutely perfect today

the (Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint) is likely.”

and as good as we’ve ever had him. He travelled like much the best horse. They went super-quick on quite

Mullen said: “A lot of work has gone behind the scenes.

a slow track and he got a little tired at the end, but he’s

He is a horse who has to have things nice and calm; no

won quite convincingly. It’s pleasing. We’ll see how he

distractions, no changes. That is why I have not sat on

comes out, but the (Group 3) Al Shindagha (Sprint)

him this year, I just said to the boss, leave Santiago (to

would be the plan. If we give him a little break, it would

ride him); he knows him well. I just jumped on him on

be between that and the Dubai Golden Shaheen (on

race day. It probably helped it was a small field and we

Mar. 30).”

were able to load last. You know he is a horse who has a little quirk, it goes from the elusive quality bred into

“Exactly what we were saying before the race,” Seemar

them, but he is extremely talented and we always felt

added. “If everything goes just perfect for him, which it

it. “He is a very fast horse. He does things his own way

did today, this is who he is. He’s had his problems with

and he likes to be calm and relaxed. He is ultra-

this and that, but everything was right for him today.

talented, as we saw him there. Drafted is probably the

He has proven before by breaking a track record for

benchmark for our local sprinters and he is a very

seven (furlongs last February) that he’s a good horse

talented horse and luckily we beat him today. I think

and today he’s back. He’s going to go step-by-step, but

they are two of the best sprinters on dirt in the UAE at

the moment, and they are going to contest many

began to falter in the lane of the Group 3 Singspiel Stakes,

battles in the months to come.”

the race immediately opened up to any horse with a proper closing kick. Luckily for Godolphin, it had at least

Watson, who also trains Group 3 winner My

five of those prospects and proceeded to sweet the first

Catch, was pleased with Drafted’s performance.

five spots in the $200,000 affair, led by the Saeed bin

“My Catch; I’m not quite sure what happened

Suroor-trained duo of Dream Castle and Racing History.

with him. Drafted, he’s impressing me every

The former, with Christophe Soumillon aboard, won by a

time. He’s in with a shot in every race and

clear 1½ lengths in a time of 1:49.40 for the 1800m course

horses don’t close like that here. He made up

and distance prep for the $6 million Dubai Turf sponsored

tons of lengths in that last (150m). He’s a proper

by DP World (G1) on Dubai World Cup night (Mar. 30).

horse.”

Another from the Bin Suroor yard, Team Talk finished fourth, while Charlie Appleby-conditioned Salsabeel and

“It was a good run; bad trip. Plain and simple,”

Bay of Poets finished third and fifth. The highest regarded

Hitchcott added.

of the Godolphin sextet, Appleby-trained Key Victory, failed to factor and finished 12th of the 16.

“I was forced to go a little quicker than I wanted earlier on,” said Pat Dobbs, who rode My Catch,

A homebred 5-year-old son of Frankel, Dream Castle had

who was last seen finishing eighth in the Dubai

been gelded since last seen in public and was actually

Golden Shaheen (G1). “But once he got to

winning for the first time since making a successful debut

traveling really sweet, he just got a bit tired up

as a 3yo at Doncaster in April 2017, after which he was fifth

the straight. He will improve for the run.”

in the 2000 Guineas (G1). On what was his 11th career start, he travelled powerfully in the middle of the field

Recap: SINGSPIEL STAKES (Group 3, $200,000)

before being unleashed by Soumillon with the pair sprinting clear with just over 200m to run, completing

When Grade 1-winning favourite Deauville

doubles for ‘Team Thunder Snow.’

“Yes I talked with Pat Cosgrave a lot before the

now won over 1200m, 2000m and twice at 2400m.

race because he knows the horse better than any other jockey,” Soumillon said. “He told me the

Bin Suroor said: “That was a very good and pleasing

horse has changed a lot this year and was much

performance and we were quite hopeful because he had

more settled in the morning track-work. I could

been working well after his break. We will stick to

feel it straight when I was going down the start,

handicap company for now, but we think he is a Group

and he was really settling down and just inside

horse and we will step him up in grade at some stage. He

the gate he was a bit stressed. I was happy

stays further than this and he could, possibly, be a Dubai

everybody went in quickly, because he was close

Gold Cup horse.”

to jumping somewhere in there. When the gates opened, he was settling down very easily. I got a

Won in each of the last three tears for His Highness

perfect race just behind the lead and I came a bit

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum by the sadly

wide and we didn’t go very fast, so I had to ask

deceased Ertijaal, the Longines Ladies Record Collection,

him to quicken quite well by himself in the

a 1000m turf handicap, was again won by the owner with

middle of the track. He gave me a very good

Australian-trained Faatinah, running on strongly to deny

effort. The big race for him now will probably be

Irish-trained Hit the Bid. Trained by David Hayes, he was

the (Dubai) Turf over the same distance. I am

ridden by his owner’s retained jockey Jim Crowley.

sure he can run between seven furlongs (1400m) and 1800m, without a problem. It just depends

A delighted assistant trainer, Ben Hayes, said: “As he has

on the pace.”

aged, he seems to have become quicker and we were keen to run him over 1000m, as he had perhaps not always

“He got a really soft time up front and ran to suit

been seeing out the 1200m. He is my favourite horse in the

himself,” said Luke Morris, who rode Deauville

yard and we will now have to think about how to

to an 11th-place finish for new trainer Fawzi

campaign him. He runs well fresh as we know so that

Nass (previously trained by Aidan O’Brien). “He

might be the plan; to give him plenty of time between

didn’t run since September, so he needed the

runs, with the Al Quoz Sprint the final target on the Dubai

run.”

World Cup card.”

Remainder of Card

Over 1400m on the dirt track, the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial presented by Longines La Grande Classique produced an

Earlier, the very first race of the 2019 carnival, a

unlikely, yet dominant winner in the shape of Al Hayette,

2410m turf handicap (Longines Gents Record

who finished fast to win her second race in 14 days over

Collection) was won impressively by Godolphin’s

the Meydan dirt, having broken her maiden over 1600m

Saeed bin Suroor-trained Bin Battuta who

on Dec. 20. The daughter of Union Rags is bred beautifully

settled well behind the leaders under Christophe

for the surface, being out of a Hennessy mare, and is

Soumillon before shooting clear 300m out, while

owned and trained by Ismail Mohammed, who said: “We

being chased home by the same owner’s Ispolini,

were worried about dropping her back to 1400m, as she

trained by Charlie Appleby. Off the track for 495

showed last time she is better over 1600m. In the future,

days, the 5-year-old Dubawi horse had last been

she will stay further. Obviously we will go for the UAE

seen when finishing second in the 2800m

1000 Guineas next and perhaps the UAE Oaks later on.

Melrose Handicap at the prestigious Yorkshire

She is a nice filly and will appreciate the extra 200m in the

Ebor meeting in August 2017. This was his fourth

UAE 1000 Guineas. We always had Dubai in mind for her

career victory on his ninth outing and he has

but she ran well on her three starts in the UK and has

continued to improve since arriving here.”

Connor Beasley, the 4-year-old gelded son of Windsor Knot is owned by Excel Racing, whose members include

A treble for Godolphin, Bin Suroor and Soumillon

Southampton footballer Charlie Austin

appeared likely when Top Score hit the front about 350m from home in the concluding Longines Master

Scott said: “That was a nice surprise, really, but he is a very

Collection Moon Phase, a 1400m turf handicap, but

smart horse and one we have always had high hopes for.

they had no answer to the late challenge of Another

We thought he was fit enough to do himself justice but we

Batt, a first UAE runner for young trainer George

were probably hopeful of a place, rather than expecting to

Scott, who is based in Newmarket, UK. Ridden by

win.”

14

FAVOURITE KUHEILAAN AAFAS WINS TOP RACE GULF DAILY NEWS

Bahrain (Alba) Cup for imported horses carrying the second richest prize of BD5,000 Port Douglas was third and Pressure Point fourth.

FAVOURITES enjoyed another fruitful day winning all five feature races at yesterday’s

Baltic Knight, owned by Al-Afoo Racing

horse racing at Rashid Equestrian and Horse

Stable, trained by Mohammed Saeed and

Racing Club in Sakhir.

ridden by Abdulla Faisal, was another favourite to oblige when it beat Laidback

Kuheilaan Aafas 1708, owned by Victorious,

Romeo by one-and-one-fourth length to win

trained by Yousif Taher and ridden by Abdulla

the Al Salam Bank Cup for imported horses

Faisal, won the richest race of the day

carrying a cash prize of BD3,000 Excuse To

beating Musannan 1719 by two-and-half-a-

Linger was third and Saajid fourth.

length to claim the Southern Governate Cup for Arabian horses carrying a cash prize of

Daleel, owned by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al

BD6,000 Al Hamdaany 1680 was third and Al

Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and ridden

Jellaby 1656 fourth. Shogun, owned by Al

by Adnan Jaffar, beat Pulsar by three-and-

Adiyat Racing, trained by Alan Smith and

half-a-length to win the Alba Cup carrying a

ridden by Gerald Mosse, beat Bermondsey by

cash prize of BD2,500 Retort was third and

six lengths to claim the Aluminium

Knight And Day fourth.

Sadara, owned by Al Awlad Syndicate, trained

support races carrying a cash prize of

by James Naylor and ridden by Brett Doyle,

BD2,000 Boragh Steps was third and Mayalee

beat Safwa by one-and-half-length to win the

fourth.

Alba Cup for locally bred horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,500Â Janah was third and

Al Tariq, owned by Abdulla Fawzi Nass,

Riyady fourth.

trained by Hesham Al Haddad and ridden by Husain Makki, beat Jayyash by seven lengths

Austin Powers, owned by Ramadhan Stable,

to win the second support race for locally

trained by Jaber Ramadhan and ridden by

bred horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,000

Robert Tart, beat London Look by one-and-

Munjiz was third and Jadeel fourth. The next

one-fourth length to win the first of twoÂ

races are scheduled for next Friday.

16

MOSHAHER'S MONSTROUS DEBUT TOPS CARNIVALWORTHY NIGHT OF 'RACING AT MEYDAN' ERA

foes in the straight. Kept lightly to task, he finished up the race in 1:40.81, while finishing 6¼ lengths clear of the well-bred duo of Lacienegaboulevard and Raayan.

An $87,000 OBS April 2-year-old purchase and out of a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Fleet

DUBAI (January 5, 2019)—Racing at Meydan on

Renee, Moshaher will now move on to the rich

Saturday officially featured The District One

Dubai World Cup Carnival 3-year-old stakes

Magnificent Stretch, a 1600m turf handicap, but

program that culminates with the world’s richest

the main event was upstaged from the outset

dirt derby, the $2.5 million UAE Derby (G2). It was a

when H And B’s Moshaher decimated a group of 3-

second debut winner for the ‘Classic’ generation for

year-old maidens with UAE Derby dreams in the

the owner after their Al Seel Legacy’s made a

opener. The 1600m (one mile) affair, titled the

victorious start to his career a fortnight ago.

District One Panorama Win, saw the Doug Watson-trained son of two-time Breeders’ Cup

“We were very hopeful coming into the race,

Dirt Mile winner Goldencents track the leaders

because his work at home has been exceptional,

like a seasoned older horse before toying with his

but you just never know if they will reproduce NOMADIC

|

24

that,” Watson said. “He did not trial as he arrived a

Surely one of the gamest horses trained locally,

bit late, but we did work him out of the gates and

Heraldic, ideally drawn in stall three, was never

he did everything right. We think he is a nice horse,

headed in the 2200m dirt handicap, the District

so it is nice to see him win like that first time out.

One Landmark Award, responding to the urgings of

Hopefully, there is more to come with the (Group

Richard Mullen to hold off Hucklebuck, who tried

3, $250,000) UAE 2000 Guineas (on Feb. 7) his next

valiantly to get past throughout the duration of the

race.”

straight. Fresh off

In the previously scheduled feature, Musabbeh Al

Mullen said: “This horse is just so genuine and does

Mheiri-trained Azmaam proved simply too good for

not want to be passed, as he showed last time, and

his rivals, wearing down Ajwad in the final furlong

again today. That was another very gutsy effort and

to win by a measured 1½ lengths. Jim Crowley was

he is a credit to Satish and the whole team.”

riding for his main employer, His Highness Sheikh

Owners, trainer and jockey doubled up with

Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

arguably the easiest winner of the night, Bochart, who was sent straight to the front by Mullen in a

Crowley said: “That was actually the first time I

1400m dirt handicap, the District One Elegance

have ridden him, but the trainer was pretty

Stretch Cup, and had the race won from the

confident and he is a horse who tends to finish his

moment they shot clear early in the straight. A

races strongly, so I was happy to take my time. He

course and distance winner in November, in similar

was not the best away and I had to hassle him a bit

fashion, the 6-year-old Dubawi gelding carried top

early on, but after that he has carried me there

weight of 62 kg and appears to be a possible

nicely before quickening well.”

Carnival player.

NOMADIC

|

24

NOMADIC

|

24

Mullen said: “That was a career-best from him and

both at Meydan, Pirate’s Cove was never headed in

that was always the plan, to go forward and give

the 1200m dirt handicap—the District One

him a breather, then go for home. When I asked

Picturesque Run—to gain a popular victory for

him, he quickened nicely. It would be nice to get

trainer Sandeep Jadhav and owner Hamad Rashed

him into the Carnival.”

bin Ghadayer. Reunited with Mickael Barzalona, aboard for the only previous local victory

Out of luck with Hucklebuck, trainer Ahmad bin

registered by the 6-year-old gelded son of Dubawi,

Harmash was soon celebrating victory with the

over the same course and distance last January, he

well-deserved success of Rua Augusta in the

was able to track across from his middle draw to

following 1600m turf maiden, the District One

get the rail and the lead. Stalked by Alraased, he

World Class Run. A 4-year-old gelded son of Arch,

was kicked clear by Barzalona about 250m out,

he was running for the 12th time in the UAE and

after which they never appeared likely to be

15th overall. With several good efforts in defeat on

caught.

his resume, including finishing third in last year’s Al Bastakiya (Listed) on Super Saturday, he battled on

Jadhav said: “He has been so unlucky the last twice

strongly to deny Paleolithic; asserting clearly that

when only caught close home, so he deserved that

this is his preferred surface.

and I am delighted for him and his owner. Full credit to Mickael, who is a world-class jockey and

Bentley, riding his first winner of the UAE season

has given him the perfect ride from the front.”

on just his second mount, said: “He has really stuck his head out and seemed to appreciate being back

The finale, the District One Crystal Lagoon Trophy,

on the turf, as he probably does not relish the

a 2000m turf handicap, Barzalona and mount Rio

kickback on the dirt surfaces. There are not many

Tigre roared home a determined winner over

spare rides around this season with so many good

Crowley and Mudaarab. The winner is owned by

jockeys here, but hopefully I will pick up more

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and

mounts.”

trained by Jadhav—providing doubles for the

Caught close home on his previous two outings,

jockey-trainer combination. It was the son of

when third over 1600m and second over 1200m, NOMADIC

|

Teofilo’s third win of the UAE 2018-19 season.

24

NOMADIC

|

24

NOMADIC

|

24

16

IFTITAH CONTINUES SEEMAR-MULLEN HOT STREAK AT AL AIN ERA

race won but had to dig deep close home to hold off the late challenge of Jintshi, formerly trained by Seemar. A 5-year-old gelding by Harbour Watch, Iftitah was registering a fourth career victory.

“The horse deserves that because he has been

Al Ain staged their first meeting of 2019 on Friday

knocking on the door since we have had him and

afternoon, which was a seven-race card

was doing the same last season for Fawzi and his

highlighted by the lone Thoroughbred handicap

team,” said Mullen, who was completing a quick

over 1400m. The event was won in determined

double. Basically, if you leave him alone, out of

fashion by Iftitah, ridden by Richard Mullen for

traffic and let him travel at a speed he is

trainer Satish Seemar, who had combined to win

comfortable with, he is happier that way. Hopefully

the previous evening’s Dubawi Stakes (G3) on

now that he’s won again, it will do his confidence

opening night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at

the power of good.”

Meydan.

The opening 1400m maiden, restricted to 4-yearAlways travelling well for Mullen, Iftitah cruised

olds in private ownership, was another race

into contention on the home turn before, pulled

contested by the maximum field of 15, but only one

slightly wide, gaining the initiative with 450m still

ever really mattered with Mullen sending AF

to run. They quickened clear, seemingly with the

Alnwha straight to the front and they probably NOMADIC

|

24

never saw a rival. Skipping clear early in the straight and

he was quite green throughout most of the race so is

never in danger subsequently. Trained by Ernst Oertel

only going to get better with experience. Irfan does

for his main patron, Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, the

very well with the horses he has and his team have been

homebred filly was making it third time lucky having

in good form all season.”

previously finished well beaten in both her debut, over the same course and distance in November and again,

A maiden over 1800m was won by Officer who, as he

over 1600m, on the Abu Dhabi turf in the Abu Dhabi

was on his debut and only previous start, at Al Ain over

Championship (Listed PA).

1400m, was slowly away and seemingly outpaced throughout the first half of the race.

“She is a nice filly and learning all the time,” Oertel said.

“As I keep saying, I am very fortunate to train these

However, on this occasion over further and given

smart horses for Mr. Al Nabooda, who is such an

plenty of time to find his stride by Gerald Avranche,

enthusiastic owner and breeder.”

riding for Abdallah Al Hammadi and Al Ajban Stables, he made relentless progress throughout the straight,

Representing the powerful Al Asayl team, RB Burning

hitting the front in the final 100m.

Ash was impressive when landing the best of the Purebred Arabian action, a 2000m handicap, with

Connections wasted no time completing a course and

Fabrice Veron in the saddle for owner His Highness

distance double with, in almost a carbon copy of the

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and trainer Eric

home straight finish of Officer, Hareer Al Reef powering

Lemartinel.

down the straight to lead in the closing stages in the following 1800m handicap, supplementing their 2000m

“You always know you have a chance riding for these

Sharjah victory just six days ago.

connections and the trainer told me to try and get some cover early on so that is what I did,” Veron explained.

Avranche said: “The yard is in good form and Officer

“Then, when I have needed space to challenge I pulled

had learned a lot from his debut but is still a baby who

him out wide where he has really quickened and finished

should again improve. I won at Sharjah on Hareer Al

very strongly. We had a nice low weight today and,

Reef just last Saturday, so running again so quickly was

luckily, we have been able to take full advantage of it.”

a slight concern but he has won that very well today.”

He may have been reluctant to load, dislodging

The finale, a 1000m conditions race for horses who had

Fernando Jara behind the stalls before the 1600m

not won more than once previously went, stylishly, to

handicap, but there was nothing wrong during the race

Lou Raynal, making his local debut a very impressive

with the attitude of bottom weight JAP Malawih, who

winning one with Xavier Ziani riding for Yousif bin

having disputed the lead throughout the first half of the

Ghilan. A 7-year-old entire by Kerbella, this was 18th

race was committed for home a full 450m out and won

career start, but only second on dirt and he was

well.

doubling his career tally having registered his maiden victory in the UK on the all-weather at Wolverhampton

Riding for Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum and

over 1200m. That was in June 2017 on his sixth

the owner’s principal trainer, Irfan Ellahi, Jara was

racecourse appearance.

delighted with the outcome and said: “I was happy to be asked to ride him as I thought he had a big chance but

22

EXCITING COLT ROYAL MARINE RETURNS ON MEYDAN DIRT TRACK

After signing off last season with victory in the

SPORTING LIFE

Bin Suroor said: "Royal Marine is a very good

Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp in October, the son of Raven's Pass will face a field of 12 rivals as he bids to give the Newmarket handler his first win in the mile conditions contest since 2016. horse and is doing well. He has enjoyed the

Saeed bin Suroor hopes Royal Marine can

climate here and has been working well. He

prove as effective on a dirt surface by

looks healthy.

stamping his authority over his rivals in the

"It will be interesting to see if he handles the

UAE 2000 Guineas Trial at Meydan on

dirt for future races. I expect him to run well

Thursday.

on it. If he does, we can look at the UAE 2000Â

the UAE Derby.

David Barron's Above The Rest is top-weight, with David O'Meara's Intisaab, the Bin Suroor-trained Major

"The plan was to run him in Dubai to give him a chance

Partnership and Jamie Osborne's newcomer Dream

to run in these races. If doesn't handle it, we will keep

Today others among the 13 runners.

him in Dubai and ready him for the European season."

Bin Suroor also holds strong claims in the Special Last season's UAE 2000 Guineas winner Gold Town,

Olympics Cup through Glassy Waters and Welsh Lord,

from the yard of Charlie Appleby, will make his first

while Syphax, formerly with Kevin Ryan, is looking to

start of the year in Round One of the Group Two Al

bounce back to his best.

Maktoum Challenge, in which the Sandeep Jadhavtrained Heavy Metal will bid for back-to-back victories.

The William Haggas-trained Original Choice is drawn

The valuable six-furlong handicap sprint sees some

one in the Cepsa Energy Cup, in which Joseph O'Brien

well-known names taking part.

runs King's Field.