Racing Weekly Issue 15

ISSUE NO. 15 • 7 FEBRUARY 2019

YOUR RACING DESTINATION

HUGO PALMER

DRAFTED LAST TO FIRST

CHASING BIG RACE GLORY IN DUBAI AND QATAR

IN THE (G3) AL SHINDAGHA SPRINT

THORKHILL STAR LIFTS CROWN PRINCE CUP

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HUGO PALMER RACING HUGO PALMER CHASING BIG RACE GLORY IN DUBAI AND QATAR

DWC CARNIVAL DOYLE, APPLEBY AND GODOLPHIN LEAD DWC CARNIVAL STANDINGS

MEYDAN, THURSDAY DRAFTED PROVIDES WATSON AN AL SHINDAGHA HAT TRICK; FRANCE'S SILVA SAYS AU REVOIR IN UAE 1,000 GUINEAS; PHOENIX LADIES GO PLATINUM WITH GOLDEN JAGUAR

BAHRAIN THORKHILL STAR LIFTS CROWN PRINCE CUP

MEYDAN, SATURDAY RIFLESCOPE TOPS SATURDAY SEEMAR HAT TRICK AT MEYDAN

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HUGO PALMER CHASING BIG RACE GLORY IN DUBAI AND QATAR SPORTING LIFE Hugo Palmer is chasing big-race glory in Dubai and

a mile and then winning races over a mile and a

Qatar over the next few weeks, his raiding party

quarter and then winning a Group Three at

headed by Mootasadir.

Dundalk over one mile three-and-a-half furlongs.

He’s going to go another two-and-a-half furlongs

The four-year-old only began his career in April

for the Nad Al Sheba Trophy which is a recognised

2018, but has already notched four wins from six

trial for the Dubai Gold Cup."

starts and is set to tackle the Group Three Nad Al Sheba Trophy at Meydan on February 28th, before a

Mootasadir also has an entry in the $6million

tilt at one of the big-money prizes on Dubai World

Longines Dubai Sheema Classic on March 30th.

Cup night.

"Where we go from there - whether we kick on

The trainer said: "We’re trying something new with

and go the full two miles for the Dubai Gold Cup,

him in Dubai – the plan is to see if he can stay. He

or come back for the Dubai Sheema Classic - will

has got better the further he went, starting off over

be determined by his first run in Dubai. He’s had a

fantastic winter. He has a real shine to him, he’s

it is the wonderful thing about a good gelding –

kept his summer coat and he looks absolutely

they keep coming back for you, year after year,"

fantastic."

the trainer said.

All four of Mootasadir’s wins have come on the allweather, but Palmer is unconcerned about

The son of Kodiac defied topweight to win

reverting to turf in Dubai.

the Unibet Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood

"He’s only run twice on turf – the first time was

in 2018 and a return to the Sussex Downs could

Derby day. He was very unfortunate that, in such a

be on the agenda later in the year.

hot summer, there was an absolute deluge at

"He was a Group winner at two, three and four

Doncaster and he ended up running on very soft

and of course last year won the Stewards’ Cup off

ground. The next time was quite the opposite at

top-weight as a five-year-old. They reassessed all

Newmarket, where he didn’t like the undulations

the sprinters in tEngland this week and he got

on very firm ground. The lovely thing about Dubai,

dropped 2lbs so he is now 1lb above the weight he

is they water the track very heavily and the ground

won the Stewards’ Cup off last year, so we’ll see

there is always good. It is a very level track, so we

where he is come high-summer, but he might bid

feel that is going to be his best chance to convert

for back-to-back wins in it.

his excellent all-weather form to the turf.

Also heading to Middle East this month is OURS PUISSANT, who will contest the $250,000 Al

“He’s quite a big horse and he has really developed

Biddah Mile in Qatar on February 23rd. The son of

from three to four. He was unraced at two and

Kodiac won at Kempton in October and rounded

when he runs in Dubai it will only be the 10th

out 2018 with a second-place finish in a one mile

month of his racing life, so I hope we have only

Listed race on the all-weather at Deauville.

scratched the surface with him and that he can

Palmer added: "He’s got good form over a mile

progress.”"

and shows he stays the trip well. We’re really

Joining Mootasadir in Dubai will be Palmer’s

looking forward to it. He was a good two-year-

evergreen stable star GIFTED MASTER. The six-

old, he’s grown and strengthened, so I think he

year-old will bid to add to his haul of 11 wins and

can be better this year.”

nearly £750,000 in career earnings in the Group Three Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint over six furlongs

Longer-term, Palmer believes Ours Puissant

on March 9th.

could be a European Classic contender.

"It is a competitive heat, but he has always gone

“He could be the sort of horse who tries to go one

well fresh. Nearly every season Gifted Master has

better than Fajjaj did in the German 2000 Guineas

raced he has won his first turf start, so fingers

later in the year. He’s a son of Kodiac - he gets

crossed we can go out there and catch him while

the mile well, but I’d be surprised if he got any

he is fresh. He’s been here longest of anyone now

further," he added.

DOYLE, APPLEBY AND GODOLPHIN LEAD DWC CARNIVAL STANDINGS KHALEEJ TIMES At the halfway point of the 2018-2019 Dubai World

riding in Dubai, currently in second place with four

Cup Carnival, the jockey, trainer and owner

Carnival winners and an impressive strike rate of

standings are led by James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

22 per cent. Christophe Soumillon, Christopher

and Godolphin. While many of the top connections

Hayes and Richard Mullen all boast three winners a

and horsemen are the proverbial usual suspects,

piece. Notably Soumillon, no stranger to Carnival

they are closely followed by several who speak to

success, has finished in the money (top three) in 55

the depth of this season's Carnival.

per cent of his races.

James Doyle is leading the jockey's championship

12 jockeys have ridden one Carnival winner so far

with five winners, including two Group 2 races for

in 2019, including Brett Doyle, who has shown

Charlie Appleby. He has already equalled his total

consistency with four of his 10 rides finishing in

tally for 2018. Connor Beasley is showing a

the first three.Â

tremendous run of form in only his second seasonÂ

Team Godolphin's Appleby heads up the trainer

rankings with seven Carnival victories, headlined

Godolphin's 11 Carnival wins places them well

by the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort victor D'bai and

ahead of local owner Sultan Ali, whose two wins

Group 2 Cape Verdi winner Poetic Charm, over

are tied with Phoenix Ladies Syndicate.

fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor's four.

The Phoenix Ladies Syndicate is new to the Local trainers Ahmad bin Harmash and Satish

Carnival scene and has successfully partnered with

Seemar follow closely with three Carnival wins to

Ahmad bin Harmash in sending out two 3-year-old

their names. Of those with 10 runners or more,

winners from three runners, highlighted by the

Satish Seemar's 27 per cent strike rate

unbeaten Violence colt Walking Thunder taking

outperforms Ahmad bin Harmash's 20 per cent and

the UAE 2,000 Guineas Trial by nine lengths. Their

Charlie Appleby's 19 per cent. Sandeep Jadhav has

other winner is Golden Jaguar, who went two

sent out a pair of winners, joining the other two

lengths clear to capture the 1,400m Meydan

local trainers with four or more placings.

Classic Trial last Thursday.

Reigning UAE champion trainer Doug Watson has

Thus far, 32 races have been contested and 33

captured a sole Carnival race, courtesy of Al

remain in the Carnival, including the seven-race

Shindagha Sprint (G3) winner Drafted, while

$2.65 million Super Saturday card on Mar. 9.

finishing second and third five times each.

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DRAFTED PROVIDES WATSON AN AL SHINDAGHA HAT TRICK; FRANCE'S SILVA SAYS AU REVOIR IN UAE 1,000 GUINEAS; PHOENIX LADIES GO PLATINUM WITH GOLDEN JAGUAR ERA The fifth meeting of the 2019 Dubai World Cup

Doug Watson and jockey Pat Dobbs. A 5-year-old

Carnival at Meydan on Thursday was highlighted by

gelding by Field Commission, he looked outpaced for

the 1200m Al Shindagha Sprint sponsored by Jebel Ali

the first half of the race before staying on strongly,

Port (G3), which was won impressively by Drafted, a

with the pair hitting the front halfway up the straight

third consecutive winner in the dirt dash for trainer

and finishing powerfully. The early pace was a swift

Doug Watson and stable jockey Pat Dobbs. Also on the

one, with My Catch battling with American invader

card was the first classic of the UAE season, the Listed

Switzerland through an opener 400m in 23.84 (no run-

UAE 1,000 Guineas, as well as the Meydan Classic Trial

up) and 800m in 46.93.

for turf 3-year-olds, a Group 1 affair for Purebred Arabians and a triad of competitive handicaps which

Argentine multiple Group 2 winner Tato Key, now in

could have Dubai World Cup night implications.

the care of Irish conditioner David Marnane, made a bold bid for the lead under Shane Foley, but was

$200,000 Al Shindagha Sprint (G3)

ultimately caught by Drafted and overpowered in the

Having combined with Cool Cowboy in 2017 and 2018’s

final 100m. Ibn Malik (Jim Crowley aboard) made a

My Catch, who led until the 300m pole this time,

game bid to finish third as the top pair crossed the line

Drafted completed the treble in good style for trainer

in 1:12.34 for 1200m with three-quarters of a lengths

separating them.

said. “It was his first run for seven months, but he’s run a massive race. It was my first time sitting on him. He

A Keeneland track record setter on debut as a 2-year-

picked up and had a little blow, but that’s to be

old when trained in America by Eoin Harty, the good-

expected. It was a fact-finding mission tonight and

looking grey gelding won his first Group race in what

you’ll be hearing from him again. I’m looking forward

was his 11th lifetime start and fifth win. A Royal Ascot

to it.”

alumnus in his only non-dirt try—the 2016 Windsor Castle Stakes—he has become a force in the local

Marnane added: “He ran a big race. It was seven

sprint ranks and won his second race of the season

months off the track for him and first time on this

and fourth at Meydan. In December, he won the Listed

surface. Couldn’t be happier with him. He was training

Garhoud Sprint over Ibn Malik and entered off a

well. He should come on from the run and I’d like to

tough-luck, yet hard-charging second in the Dubawi

see him back here on Super Saturday (Mar. 9) and then

Stakes (G3) on Jan. 3.

hopefully (Dubai) World Cup night.”

“In his last run, he was very unlucky,” Dobbs said. “He

“He ran a very good race,” Crowley said of Ibn Malik.

beat My Catch 6½ lengths that day and had a lot of

“It was a very competitive race and run well. He might

ground to make. He’s younger and on the way up. The

be better with an outside draw. Sometimes he found it

small field was good today because he had no kickback

a little difficult to turn tonight, but he has run a good

today (when staying on the outside). I got into the race

race.”

a little earlier than (I wanted), but he ran really well. He has to warm up into it and (close ground). I just get him

Nine Below Zero, My Catch and Switzerland rounded

out of the kickback for the first two or three furlongs

out the order of finish in the major prep for the $2.5

and then half-way around, he picked up the bridle and

million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1).

did it himself.” $250,000 UAE 1,000 Guineas (Listed) Watson added: “He just does not have that natural

The UAE 1000 Guineas sponsored by DP World UAE

speed, but he tries every time for us and he has been a

Refion (Listed), restricted to 3-year-old fillies, went to

delight to train. The smaller field tonight probably

France with Silva running out the very easy, if not

helped him a little bit, because it kept him out of the

completely dominant winner for Pia Brandt. In doing

kickback early, so he travelled a little bit better. He is

so, she supplied Oisin Murphy, who has been in red-

not great with kickback. He was able to get a nice

hot form in Japan, a first 2019 Carnival winner at the

position early. He travelled a lot better tonight early

first attempt.

and was able to use that kick at the end. It was a tough choice for Pat (to pick between Drafted and My Catch)

Never far off the pace, the Kodiac filly, a homebred by

because he thought if My Catch had drawn low, he

Zamim Bifov, arrived here having on her third career

might have gone with him, but I think he was always

start lost her maiden tag over 1900m on the Deauville

going to go with Drafted.”

all-weather seven weeks ago. Tracking the early pace (24.43 for 400m and 47.78 for 800m) set by an

Both Foley and Marnane were very pleased with Tato

enthusiastic Lady Parma with Richard Mullen, she sent

Key.

for home early in the straight with authority and

“He jumped smart and I just took a sit because I didn’t

quickly opened up on the opposition. In the end, she

want to get in a speed battle with My Catch,” Foley

stopped the clock in 1:39.62.

Market favourite Divine Image, with William Buick

in her first time on dirt. She got a lot of kickback and she’s

aboard, closed well to snag second from Lady Parma. Al

a very game and honest filly. I think she’ll improve for the

Hayette, suffering from her outside (post 15) barrier draw,

step up in the (Group 3, $250,000) UAE Oaks (on Feb. 21).”

never factored under Fabrice Veron to eventually finish 10th.

“She probably jumped too well,” Mullen said of the early pacesetter. “Ideally, I was wanting to get a lead, but she

“It was a good job from my agent to pick her up and the

pinged the gates with me and I didn’t want to take her

trainer has done a super job,” Murphy said. “It was my

back (once she broke so quickly). She has a lot of natural

first ride for Pia Brandt. I gave (Silva) a good run up and

speed. She is probably a filly who doesn’t stay as well and

she jumped and she probably avoided all the kickback.

is only three-parts there. She’s a big filly and she’s not

Her next assignment might be tougher, but that was a

really physically developed, yet. She is probably a filly who

great result.”

is going to come back to sprinting next year when she is fully strengthened up and I think the trip was a little far

“She missed the break,” Buick explained. “She was a little

for her tonight. She was unlucky not to be second, but the

bit restless in the gate. She ran a great race to be second

winner was in a different race.”

Veron, while noticeably disappointed in his two-time

Mawahib, who looked the likely winner when challenging

meet winner, promised a better Al Hayette in three weeks:

350m out, but could not get past the winner.

“Today, I think it’s better if you forget about it. The draw was on the outside and the track was very fast. The

Jara, on his only mount during the card, said: “He is one of

kickback was too much for her, today. Don’t worry about

my favourite Purebred Arabians because he is a big, brave

the filly. Next time she will be better.”

horse who tries hard and is a pleasure to ride. When in front, he does tend to wait for other horses, so when the

Remainder of Card

runner-up challenged, I always knew he would keep

The $100,000 Meydan Classic Trial sponsored by Mina

fighting and he has shown a great attitude to win that.”

Rashid Marina, for 3-year-olds on turf, was won stylishly

by Golden Jaguar, impressive winner over 1000m in a

The 1600m dirt handicap, the $175,000 Mina Rashid,

conditions race at Jebel Ali on his only previous outing and

looked competitive on paper, but reality revealed it to be a

following up in the manner of a good horse for owner

one-horse race, with that sole equine being Sandeep

Phoenix Ladies Syndicate and trainer Ahmad bin

Jadhav-trained Capezzano, who won his second race of

Harmash. Connor Beasley was in the irons on the well-

the 2018-19 season in impressive style. Taken straight to

bred son of 2013 Dubai World Cup winner Animal

the front by Mickael Barzalona and benefitting from both

Kingdom.

subpar starts by fellow pace factors Gold Town and Bochart, he pulverized his rivals in the lane and hit the

“It was really impressive the way he did it, to be honest,

wire 14 lengths in front in a healthy time of 1:36.95

because everything went wrong,” Beasley said. “He was

—stamping himself as a horse to watch on the road to the

obviously drawn quite wide and he half clipped the gates

$1.5 million Godolphin Mile (G2) on Dubai World Cup day.

again. I had to take my time. Once I pushed the button, he

Last year, he was unplaced in said event, but appears to

went about his job really well. For a horse that is having

have moved forward considerably.

his second run, he hit the front far too early, but he was a very willing partner and he galloped right through the

Jadhav said: “We have put a hood on him, which really

line. Very impressive.”

seems to have helped and he is a horse we have always known has plenty of ability. We were quite hopeful

“We owe it to (trainer) Ahmad bin Harmash, who picked

coming here tonight, but did not expect that. I guess we

out and bought all these good horses for Phoenix Ladies

will now have to step him up in class after such an easy

and has done a great job with them,” said Amer Abdulaziz,

victory, but we will wait and see what the handicapper

principal of Phoenix Thoroughbreds and its subsidiary

does.”

Phoenix Ladies. “It shows you how good (Golden Jaguar) is, to win on dirt (at Jebel Ali) and now on turf today.”

The penultimate race, the $175,000 Jafza Handicap over 2000m on turf, was dominated by Godolphin, but

The meeting opened with the only Purebred Arabian

supplied the leading owner with its sole victory of the

contest on the card, the 2200m Al Maktoum Challenge R2

evening. Heavy market favourite Oasis Charm, saddled by

sponsored by Mina Hamriya (PA G1) and won in ultra-

Charlie Appleby, welcomed back stable jockey William

determined fashion by Goshawke and a smart ride by

Buick properly, as the rider was returning to the Carnival

Fernando Jara, who tracked the leaders before being sent

for the first time this year after a suspension incurred in

to the front at the top of the straight. A 5-year-old and

Hong Kong.

youngest of the 12 runners, he is trained by Abdallah Al Hammadi for Al Ajban Stables and kept responding to

A 5-year-old Oasis Dream gelding, Oasis Charm was

Jara’s urgings throughout the final 400m to just deny

returning to action after 271 days off when he was

victorious in a handicap over 1800m at Newmarket.

Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal, produced a

Tonight he held off a strong charge from Saeed bin

second Carnival winner in as many years for trainer

Suroor-trained Team Talk, under Christophe Soumillon,

Charlie Fellowes and owner Saeed Bel Obaida after

by three parts of a length. It was another head back to

subsequently Melbourne Cup (G1)-placed Prince of

Appleby-trained Zaman in third.

Arran’s success in 2018. This time it was Escalator rising to the occasion, while piloted by Christopher Hayes and

Appleby said: “We have always thought a lot of this horse

toting top weight of 60kgs.

and have given him plenty of time. We will wait for the handicapper, but it could well be we have to step him up

“They went a good gallop and he came alive,” Hayes said.

in class now.”

“I just had to weight turning in. I got out and he switched

The concluding 1600m $135,000 turf handicap, the

gears.”

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THORKHILL STAR LIFTS CROWN PRINCE CUP GULF DAILY NEWS

Milyar, owned by Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and ridden by Andrew Elliott, won the corresponding cup for locally bred horses which also carried a cash prize

THORKHILL Star and Milyar won the two richest

of BD15,000 Milyar beat Retort by one-and-half-a-

races of the day at yesterday’s horse racing at Rashid

length while News Breaker was third and Farange

Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir.

fourth.

Thorkhill Star, owned by Al Adiyat Racing, trained by

Kuheilaan Aafas 1708, owned by Victorious, trained

Alan Smith and ridden by Frankie Dettori, beat

by Yousif Taher and ridden by Hussain Makki, won

Shogun by two-and-half-a-length in the race for

the Crown Prince Cup for Arabian horses carrying

imported horses to win His Royal Highness Prince

a cash prize of BD5,000 Kuheilaan Aafas 1708 beat

Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup, the Crown

Kuheilan Aafas 1675 by half-a-length while Al

Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First

Jellaby 1544 was third and Al Hamdany 1697 fourth.

Deputy Prime Minister, carrying a cash prize of BD15,000 Pressure Point was third and Emerald

Dark Power, owned by Al Adiyat Racing, trained by

fourth.

Alan Smith and ridden by A Rahim Jasim, beat

Solar Flair by two lengths to win the High Committee

two-and-half-a-length to win the Bahrain

Cup carrying a cash prize of BD5,000 Raawy was

Oaks, sponsored by Al Muzdaher Stud, for

third and Punk fourth. Al Nimra, owned by Abdulla

locally bred horses carrying a cash prize of

Fawzi Nass, trained by Hesham Al Haddad and ridden

BD4,400 Masharif was third and Duwaliya

by Husain Makki, beat Gharaieb by

fourth.

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DUBAI PLANS FOR DUAL G1 WINNER VIDDORA

Dubai in the Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) on World Cup night, March 30, and he plans to take her there if her Oakleigh Plate performance warrants it.

“She’s been invited to go to Dubai so we’ll exercise those options if she runs well in the Oakleigh

JUST HORSE RACING An overseas trip is in the pipeline for dual Group

Plate,” Kennewell said.

One winner Viddora if she performs strongly in her

“But if she doesn’t run well in that, we’ll stay in

return in the Oakleigh Plate.

Australia with her.

Viddora had a jump-out at Caulfield on Tuesday

“The horse comes first. Her welfare comes first

morning and trainer Lloyd Kennewell said the

because she’s a valuable broodmare so we just

mare would have another hit-out before the

want to make sure that everything is right with

Oakleigh Plate on her home track on February 23.

her.

Kennewell said Viddora had been invited to run in

“If everything is right she will be on the plane.”

NOMADIC

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Kennewell said the logistics had already been

“There’s a few other things happening but it’s all up

sorted and he believes the space between the

to her, obviously,” he said.

Oakleigh Plate and Al Quoz is ideal for the mare who performs at her best with a gap between races.

“She’s got to show me here to warrant going. And if she goes, it could be a bit of a farewell tour.”

Six-year-old Viddora is entering what is likely to be her final racing preparation but Kennewell said her

Kennewell said Viddora cruised along in her jump-

campaign could last for several months, and could

out and jockey Joe Bowditch gave him a good

include more than one overseas race.

report.

NOMADIC

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RIFLESCOPE TOPS SATURDAY SEEMAR HAT TRICK AT MEYDAN

“It’s great to win for the owner, who’s been here

ERA Racing at Meydan Saturday saved the best for last

back on grass. He’s a very genuine horse who was

when Hot Scot Racing Stable’s Riflescope shot

Stables and a pleasure to give them a winner.”

down the nightcap and co-feature—the AED 205,000 Al Maryah Island Trophy Handicap over 1200m on turf— with authority. The final time was a blistering 1:09.90—quickest of the season thus far —and margin a rather dominant 2¾ lengths. Satish Seemar of Zabeel Stables landed a hat trick in the process and O’Shea won his second race of the evening.

since Race 1 today and I’m sure there will be a good celebration tonight,” O’Shea said. “(Riflescope) is a horse who acts well on both surfaces, but sometimes they really like when you put them drawn well and it’s a big team effort at Zabeel

The other feature of the night was the Healthpoint Better Together Cup, a turf handicap over 1800m in which several of the 16 runners were eager to advertise their Dubai World Cup Carnival claims and it was Muzdawaj who was able to do that, leading in the final 100m to win well under Jim Crowley for His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin NOMADIC

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Rashid Al Maktoum, who owned a quarter of the 16

winner, said: “Obviously it is nice to get that first

competitors and also finished second with

Meydan winner out of the way after a few close

Tafaakhor. A half-brother to late sprint star Ertijaal,

shouts. We probably won too easily in the end, but

he was saddled by Musabbeh Al Mheiri.

I was able to get to the front, give him a breather and then he quickened nicely when I asked. This is

Crowley said: “It is never easy picking the right one,

a horse who almost tries too hard, even at home in

but we thought he ran very well last time. Luckily, I

the mornings, and makes life harder for himself,

made the correct choice on this occasion.

but this should do his confidence a lot of good.”

Obviously, the Carnival races are going to be tougher, but this 1800m really suits him. Hopefully

Connections were then denied a quick double

he will be competitive there.”

when their Sea Skimmer stayed on strongly in the following 2000m dirt handicap, the Masdar

Restricted to 3-year-olds, the Special Olympics

Trophy, but was unable to get on terms with

World Games Cup, a turf maiden over the same

Thaaqib, opening his UAE account at the tenth

1800m, was a dramatic affair with at least half of the

attempt and seventh run of the current campaign.

14 runners holding a realistic chance at some stage

The 5-year-old gelded son of Invincible Spirit

in the straight. Ultimately it was well-fancied Bila

initiated a double for Sheikh Hamdan when piloted

Shak who won in workmanlike fashion under Adrie

to victory by Antonio Fresu, riding for his main

de Vries, riding for Fawzi Nass and overcoming a

local employer, Erwan Charpy.

lacklustre start. A colt from the final crop of Scat Daddy, the winner is a half-brother to Breeders’

“He was twice withdrawn at the start at Jebel Ali

Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) runner-up Giovanni Boldini

last season, so we needed to iron that out,” Charpy

and cost $250,000 at auction as a yearling.

said. “That is one reason we have kept him quite busy at different tracks and, to be honest, we

“We have always really liked this horse, who trains

really wanted to run him at Abu Dhabi tomorrow,

like a very good one, but disappointed us last week,

but he did not get in. We had a good low draw

which is why we pulled him out again so quickly,”

here, as well as a low weight, so were keen to

Nass said. “We thought he was one for the Al

utilise that by racing close to the pace and being

Bastakiya and UAE Derby, but he keeps missing the

positive. Luckily it has all worked out.”

break, which is a lot harder to get away with in the dirt races.”

Dropped in class by Satish Seemar, the progressive Beachcomber Bay was soon in front in the CCAD

Runner-up on both his previous two efforts for his

Healthcare Cup, a 1200m dirt handicap and, having

current trainer, Solar Shower made it third time

seen off a persistent challenge from Alraased, was

lucky since joining Helal Al Alawi in the opener.

kicked clear 300m out by Richard Mullen and then

Soon in front under Billy Lee, the 5-year-old entire

always holding Power Link who probably did as

by Oasis Dream was seemingly always travelling

well to finish as close he did having blown the

well with himself and, once sent for home early in

start.

the straight, was never in danger of being caught.

Mullen said: “We were pretty hopeful after his last Lee, sporting the predominantly red silks of Saleh

run in a better race despite a poor draw and

Omar Ali Bin Haldar and riding his first Meydan NOMADIC

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having to concede weight to the others, but he is 24

a

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nice horse. I was able to get to the front and he

200m left. Craving hit the front before Welford,

really quickened in style to win his race when I

also trained by Seemar, looked the likely winner

asked. He is going the right way and hopefully

before Mazeed appeared with a telling challenge

there is more to come.”

before Quartier Francais flew home from last at halfway to snatch second. Sporting the silks of

Seemar completed a dirt double, this time

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, the 5-

combining with Tadhg O’Shea who produced

year-old gelded son of Street Cry was doubling his

Mazeed to lead close home in the Yahsat Trophy, a

career tally. O’Shea said:

1600m handicap. With Pirate’s Cove taking the 14

“The fast gallop has really suited him and he stayed

runners along at a frantic early gallop, stalked by

on very well, which was a good effort because we

Craving, that pair were still fighting it out with

had a poor draw.”

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EQUINE FLU OUTBREAK LATEST: BOOKIES HOPE RACES RETURN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT SAY PUNTERS CAN STILL BET ON DARTS AND GREYHOUNDS

It is the first such cancellation since the outbreak of foot and mouth in 2001. A decision was expected on Thursday whether racing will remain off for the foreseeable future.

The uncertainty has raised questions about bookies' ability to cope, especially with football – another major market – a no-go on Thursday with just four professional matches scheduled in Europe.

EVENING STANDARD Bullish bookmakers have said they hope racing

But top UK betting companies told the Standard

returns “as soon as possible” after all of Thursday’s

punters will quickly change allegiances to other

horse races were cancelled due to equine flu.

sports.

All UK horse racing meetings have been called off

Mark Pearson, of Betfred, also pointed out

by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) after

international horse racing events are still going

the outbreak.

ahead as planned.

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He said: “Fortunately, we have still got races in

“First and foremost, the welfare of racehorses is

Ireland and Dubai, as well as the rugby Super

the priority here, so the BHA's swift action is very

League and the darts Premier League.”

welcome.

But he added: “We are crossing our fingers racing

“At this time of year it's not unusual to have blank

resumes as soon as possible.”

days of UK racing, though usually as a result of bad weather. So the betting sector is well practised at

Asked about the impact of losing UK horse racing

ensuring there is plenty of other betting

for a day, Mr Pearson said: “If it’s one day, it’s

opportunities for our customers.”

unfortunate but we can deal with it. And we support the quick decision made by the BHA last

Mr Clare added the international race meetings, as

night.”

well as greyhound racing this afternoon, will keep

Simon Clare, of Coral, said:

punters ticking over.

24

JUTHOOR MUCH THE BEST IN ABU DHABI FEATURE

Maktoum, settled the 4-year-old Shamardal gelding well off the pace before pulling him wide to make ground as the runners departed the back straight. Entering the final 400m, they pulled wider still, eventually challenging

ERA The most valuable race on Sunday’s Abu Dhabi

on the nearside rail and sweeping to the front

card and only contest for Thoroughbreds was

The same owner’s Mashaheer for Ali Rashid Al

the concluding 1600m handicap, which looked

Rayhi finished second under Dane O’Neill.

200m from home and running on strongly.

competitive on paper, but nobody had warned Juthoor, who was the meeting’s easiest

Crowley explained: “I had to make a decision

winner, relishing the rain-dampened yielding

whether to try and weave through runners or

course. Jockey Jim Crowley, riding for His

pull wide and I could see it was getting quite

Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al

congested inside so I went around horses.

Once in the straight and with the help of the rail, he

shape today after a very good effort when second last

quickened well, so that was a good performance and

Sunday and he has found plenty for me to hold on.”

he has relished the return to turf, especially after the rain.”

Jeanne added: “Luckily we picked this race because we were thinking of running him the next over 1400m, but

The best of the Purebred Arabian action, a quality

we know he stays this trip well and Richard was

1600m handicap, produced a thrilling finish with AF

available to ride him, which was a bonus.”

Maher making a gallant effort from the front and seemingly going to be hard to beat when kicked clear

Having missed the break aboard Dassan Da in the

by Tadhg O’Shea at the top of the straight. However,

opening 1600m handicap, Emirati apprentice Saeed Al

half a dozen of his 11 opponents were in pursuit with

Mazrooei allowed his mount plenty of time to find his

AF Monsef finally getting past him with about 200m

stride, with the pair settling in last throughout the

left, only to be snared by Bainoona who was then

early stages before making smooth progress down the

caught herself, right on the line, by stable companion

back straight, racing widest of all. With Al Mazrooei

Mukaram, produced with a perfectly timed challenge

still sitting motionless, they swept past AF Makerah

by Pat Cosgrave. Eric Lemartinel trained the winner.

with 300m remaining and were never going to be caught, landing the spoils in similar fashion to the

“At least a nice narrow win should mean he does not

course and distance handicap they won just last week

go up too much in the handicap,” Cosgrave quipped.

for trainer Helal Al Alawi and owner Khalid Mohd

“He ran a great when winning here last week over this

Rahma Al Shamsi.

course and distance so it was a case of deciding whether to run him back again so quickly. Fair play to

Al Mazrooei said: “As I said last week, this is a horse

Eric and the team for freshening him up and it is great

who does not like to be crowded, so after the slow

for everyone he has won again.”

break, I was quite happy to take my time and pull him wide. He has really travelled well and enjoyed passing

The following 2200m handicap, restricted to those

horses on the outside without having to exert too

foaled locally, was equally dramatic with the lead

much energy, so, from quite a long way out, I was very

changing hands several times in the final 300m, which

confident we would win again.”

was the point Richard Mullen hit the front aboard Elise Jeanne-trained MH Tawag, the pair seemingly having

Al Alawi added: “This is a good horse and we have

the race at their mercy. However, Cosgrave and

discovered the key to riding him now with Saeed doing

Sheikh Khalifa’s Ras Esina threw down a challenge, as

everything perfectly again as he did last week.”

did their stable companion, Mahfouz, not to mention O’Shea and AF Kafu. Ultimately Mullen’s mount

Former UAE champion owner, Khalid Khalifa Al

shrugged them all off only to be then challenged as the

Nabooda, is enjoying a prolific season, particularly with

line approached by AF Al Montaqem, who just failed to

his horses based with Ernst Oertel. The pair combined

snatch a dramatic victory.

to land the 1600m maiden with AF Saabah, who was never headed under Tadhg O’Shea. With the field

“I am delighted for the connections, the owner, Elise

reduced to 12 after two withdrawals at the start, the

and her team who do not have that many horses, but

homebred 4-year-old filly broke sharply and always

do very well with the ammunition they do have,”

looked happy out in front before quickening clear

Mullen said. “They presented the horse here in great

leaving the home turn.

O’Shea explained: “She ran very well the last day at Al

evening when the result was in serious doubt until the

Ain over the 1600m, but probably did not quite stay on

very final strides, the pair were able to deny Hawafez,

the sand and would have won if the race was over

who was only in front for about 50m, having wrested

1400m so we thought the 1600m here would suit her

the initiative from Nawwak KB, who had led for 1300m

better. She has a lot of natural speed, which took us to

of the contest. Owned by Saif Ali, the 8-year-old was

the front and then she has displayed a great attitude to

winning for a fifth time, but first for current

see off any challengers.”

connections

Ridden by Fabrice Veron for his main local employer,

“He ran well here for us two weeks ago so we were

Ismail Mohammed, RB Inferno was produced fast and

quite hopeful,” Veron said. “He has really picked up

late to snatch victory in the 1400m handicap restricted

nicely in the straight when I asked him and luckily we

to those in private ownership. Yet another race on the

were just able to get there in time.”