ISSUE 8 20 DECEMBER 2018
YOUR RACING DESTINATION
MURAAQEB TO SPEARHEAD SHADWELL'S RUNNERS IN DUBAI
SHOGUN CAPTURES
BOIS DE BOULOGNE
NATIONAL DAY CUP
SNATCHES SHARJAH FEATURE
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MURAAQEB TO SPEARHEAD SHADWELL'S RUNNERS IN DUBAI
ARGENTINE STAR LOGRADO IMPORTED FOR DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL
BAHRAIN SHOGUN CAPTURES NATIONAL DAY CUP
JEBEL ALI DRACO MAINTAINS THE MAGIC WITH JEBEL ALI FEATURE SCORE
SHARJAH BOIS DE BOULOGNE SNATCHES SHARJAH FEATURE UNDER LOCAL APPRENTICE
MURAAQEB TO SPEARHEAD SHADWELL'S RUNNERS IN DUBAI BLOODHORSE Carbine Club Stakes (G3) winner Muraaqeb will
Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. "He's a touch below
spearhead a likely quartet of Shadwell-owned
the best, but I think he could easily be competitive
horses heading to Dubai to compete at the Meydan
at the Carnival if he's in good shape and travels
Carnival. The Lindsay Park-trained colt will be
well. "We're keen to get Sheikh Hamdan some
joined on the plane by stablemate Eshtiraak, while
decent horses for the Carnival, and Muraaqeb is
Faatinah, who performed creditably in Dubai last
probably the classiest of them. Some of the others,
year, could also be set for a repeat trip to the
if they don't make the carnival, will run in other
Northern Hemisphere.
races in Dubai.
Muraaqeb put in a career-best performance when
"Eshtiraak won five or six races and is a pretty
he finished fifth in the Epsom Handicap (G1) at
decent horse on his day. He's verging on listed
Randwick in September and was last sighted
class, and I'd like to think he could be competitive
finishing a close third to multiple group 1 place-
out there if we find the right race for him."
getter Tally in Sandown's Eclipse Stakes (G3) last month.
Having won on his first outing in Dubai last year, Faatinah went on to finish eighth in the Al Quoz
"I think he has the right kind of profile. He's a
Sprint Sponsored By Azizi Developments (G1) on
group 3 winner and ran a very good race in the
World Cup night, before a return to home soil saw
Epsom," said Angus Gold, racing manager to
him land the SAJ Fruit Supply Carlyon Stakes
owner
Spring Preview MVRC Future Stars Sprint first up.
"He fulfilled the objective of winning over in Dubai
"The idea is to not run them off the plane but to
last year, and he's a homebred Australian horse, so
run them all within three weeks of getting there."
it was good to see him take to it," Gold said. "We brought him home after the Al Quoz Sprint, and he
Elsewhere in Australia Saturday, Shadwell is also
came out and ran arguably up to his very best form
set to unleash exciting juvenile Aladaala in the
back in Australia. That was a good lesson for us
lucrative Inglis Nursery at Randwick, the second
because it showed that we can take horses out
race in the AU$8 million Inglis Race Series and the
there and bring them back without them losing
first leg of the AU$3 million Inglis Triple Crown.
their form. Aladaala was a AU$550,000 (US$422,565) purchase "I imagine if Faatinah does go out again, he'll stay
from the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and
there, whereas I think Muraaqeb will come back to
has been showing plenty of ability at home.
Australia, but, ultimately, that is Sheikh Hamdan's decision. We'll see how the others get on."
"She may not be up to winning a race of this class first time, but from everything I've seen and heard
Another Lindsay Park inmate who could book his
from David, she goes nicely," said
ticket to Dubai this weekend is Muraahib, with the
Gold. "She's trialed well, and she certainly has
gelding set to take his chance in Saturday's Union
some ability."
Road Traders Association Handicap at Flemington. Muraahib has failed to build on the promise he
Gold also issued an update on British import
displayed as a juvenile when he came home sixth
Muntahaa, who will remain in Australia with
behind stablemate Catchy in the Ladbrokes Blue
Lindsay Park having finished a creditable ninth in
Diamond Stakes (G1) and will need to put his
the Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1) for trainer John
best foot forward in Saturday's contest to secure
Gosden.
his place in the traveling party He said: "Muntahaa was just turned out and is "Obviously, we only want to take a horse who is in
having a nice break. He's thriving and loving it.
form and good enough. I've always thought that he
Hopefully, he'll be back in work in the next two
would be good enough, but he can run the odd bad
weeks with a view to racing him in the Autumn.
race, so we just have to make sure he's in good form before we go to the trouble of taking him all
"Lindsay Park are still getting to know the horse, so
that way," Gold said. "There's no point in taking
we'll see how he adapts. Colin Hayes always used
lesser horses. It's incredibly competitive over
to tell me that most horses take 10 or 11 months to
there, so you want to go over with something that
fully acclimate, so I'm not expecting the best of
will fit in and be competitive.
him until next spring.
"We will have sent about 25 horses from Europe to
"For me, he's a stayer with a bit of class, and I think
Dubai by the time they're all out there at the end of
he could easily be competitive in some of those
this season. So, hopefully, some of them will also
better races. Not necessarily just the Cup races, he
prove up to Carnival standard.
might have the speed and class for a mile and a half as well."
ARGENTINE STAR LOGRADO IMPORTED FOR DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL PAULICK REPORT Two Carnivals ago, trainer Erwan Charpy debuted
over 1 1/4 miles (in a brilliant time of 1:58.50) on
a South American import who quickly made a big
dirt two starts ago on May 1, the half-brother to
splash in Chilean-bred, Argentine multiple Group 1
Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1-placed
winner Furia Cruzada. Said charge has since
Lencelot has had seven starts and was last seen
competed in two Dubai World Cups, placed in a
running when third in the Estrellas Classic (G1)
pair of Group 1s and won 2017's Al Maktoum
over that same trip on July 9. Overall, he has a 3-1-
Challenge Round 2 (G2) over subsequent
1 record and has impressed onlookers in the
Godolphin Mile (G2) winner Second Summer. The
mornings at Meydan since arriving.
iron mare is now preparing for her third Carnival assault.
“I quite like him,” Charpy said. “He's a very good horse and a tough, huge horse. A typical South
Meanwhile, Charpy's arsenal of Argentine form has
American horse; very strong. I think he could be a
grown. Last month, he took over the care of a
very good Carnival horse. We have not had him for
hulking bay grandson of Unbridled named
very long, but he came to us a pretty fit horse.
Logrado, who comes to Dubai with similar credentials. An emphatic five-length winner when
“I am aiming for the Singspiel Stakes on the first
taking the prestigious Republica Argentina (G1)
meeting of the Carnival,” Charpy continued “It's
nine furlongs on the turf and it should be a good
Logrado is a son of Manipulator, a regally bred
place to get started for him. Furia (Cruzada) will
Unbridled stallion, whose dam is dominant
run in The Entisar on (December) 20th and then
Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner and U.S.
we will decide what to do with her after that, but
champion Inside Information. Being out of an
will likely point her to the (Al) Maktoum Challenge
Interprete mare, he sports a pedigree that is as
series.�
versatile as he has shown on the racetrack. After breaking his maiden at first asking over six
The Singspiel is part of a blockbuster opening
furlongs on dirt, he was a good fourth in the Gran
night Jan. 3 card for the Carnival that includes six
Criterium (G1) over a mile on grass. In addition to
races worth a total of US$995,000. A (G3), it was
his aforementioned G1 tally on dirt he also owns a
won last year by Godolphin's Benbatl, who would
one-sided allowance victory over a mile on grass
go on to win the Dubai Turf (G1) in smashing style.
last April, stopping the clock in 1:33.94.
BAHRAIN
Shogun captures National Day Cup GULF DAILY NEWS
FAVOURITES had a field day winning all seven races at yesterday’s horse racing to mark Bahrain’s National Day at Shaikh Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir. Shogun, owned by Al Adiyat Racing, trained by Alan Smith and ridden by Gerald Mosse, won the richest race of the day which was for the National Day Cup (for imported horses), sponsored by Ministry of Information Affairs, carrying a cash prize of BD10,500. The favourite beat King Bolete by one-and-one-fourth-length while Fauvism was third and Pressure Point fourth. Another favourite Thorkhill Star completed a fine double for owners Al Adiyat Racing, trainer Alan Smith and jockey Gerald Mosse when it beat Sir Viktor by three-fourth-length to win the Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup for imported horses carrying a cash prize of BD10,000.
when it beat Sir Viktor by three-fourthlength to win the Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup for imported horses carrying a cash prize of BD10,000 Baltic Knight was third and Empiricist fourth. Favourite Riyada, owned by Shaikh Isa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and ridden by Brett Doyle, set the trend for the day living up to expectations beating Shomukh by a length to win the first race of the day which was for the Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup (for locally bred horses) carrying a cash prize of BD4,500. Al Nimra, owned by Abdulla Fawzi Nass, trained by Hesham Al Haddad and ridden by Husain Makki, followed suit beating Duwalia by fourth lengths to win the Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup carrying a cash prize of BD3,500 Jayyash was third and Blue Angel fourth. Kuheilaan Aafas 1695, owned by Al Wasmiya, trained by Abdulla Kuwaiti and ridden by Brett Doyle, beat Kuheilaan Aafas 1675 by a length to win the race for the Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup for Arabian horses carrying a cash prize of BD3,000. Tulip Fever, owned by Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and ridden by Andrew Elliott, beat Inclination by one-and-one-fourth-length to win the Shaikh Faisal bin Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup carrying a cash prize of BD5,500. Showdaisy was third and Curtain Call fourth. Snake Eagle, owned by Mansoori Syndicate, trained by Yousif Alboainain and ridden by Brett Doyle, beat Call A Friend by three lengths to win the Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup for locally bred horses carrying a cash prize of BD3,500 High Roller was third and Al Jolan fourth
DRACO MAINTAINS THE MAGIC WITH JEBEL ALI FEATURE SCORE ERA
to land the spoils and maintain his unbeaten UAE record. A 3-year-old Astrology colt, he has actually won his three most recent starts having landed a maiden over 1100m at Gulfstream Park on his third and final US outing in September last year. Always racing generously for Hayes, he was only asked for
The penultimate Jebel Ali fixture of 2018 on Friday
an effort entering the final 400m, quickening
afternoon, a 1600m conditions race restricted to 3-
stylishly and his jockey was able to glance over his
year-olds, was won emphatically by Draco, who
shoulder at the 200m pole, by which time the race
was never headed under Chris Hayes for
was effectively over.
racecourse patron, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Trained on the Jebel Ali track
Hayes, who sadly missed the win a month ago due
by Nicholas Bachalard, Draco had impressed when
to a family bereavement, was clearly impressed
winning a similar conditions event on his local
and enthused: “It was my first time riding him in a
debut over 1400m a month ago, but seemingly built
race, so we decided this morning to ride him
on that here, under a penalty for that victory,
positively to see if he actually stays the 1600m NOMADIC
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and he certainly has because I could not pull him
was passed by Al Muhalhal Al Thani with about
up. What really impressed me though was his
750m remaining, but fought back to regain the
attitude because he is so relaxed but then, when I
initiative nearing the 300m pole. However, that
asked him, he really quickened in style. He is a
rival was not going to concede defeat and, under a
lovely horse with loads of options, be it the Jebel Ali
strong drive from Szczepan Mazur, put his head
Mile or perhaps Meydan and the Dubai World Cup
back in front close home to snatch victory for
Carnival, but that will be for the trainer to decide.”
trainer Younis Al Kalbani and owner Alwarith Ibrahim Al Hadhrami, establishing a new Purebred
A good quality 1400m handicap looked competitive
Arabian track record in the process.
on paper but that proved not to be the case with only two of a final field of ten, after both Lytham St
It was a second career victory for the 5-year-old
Annes and Final Reckoning were withdrawn at the
who landed a 1200m maiden at Sharjah last
start, ever really looking like winning. Well away,
November. His impressed jockey said: “That was a
Tadbir was sent straight to the head of affairs by
good performance because the runner-up is
Dane O’Neill with Rocket Power and Connor
decent and we went pretty quick throughout. My
Beasley in their slipstream. With most rivals beaten
horse has really battled hard and responded every
off just after halfway, Beasley rousted his mount to
time I asked him, so deserves a lot of credit.”
lead about 425m from home and they never looked likely to be denied with a game effort.
The longest race on the card, over the staminasapping 1950m, was a handicap and won
Trained by Ahmad bin Harmash for Mohd Khalifa Al
convincingly by Cape Of Eagles, saddled by Helal Al
Basti, the winning 5-year-old Kyllachy gelding was
Alawi and confidently ridden by Billy Lee for owner
a course winner in a 1600m handicap a fortnight
Saleh Omar Ali bin Haidar. A 4-year-old Cape
ago and this was his fourth career and third local
Blanco colt, he started the campaign as a maiden
success, having also landed a 1200m handicap here
before winning a Jebel Ali maiden over 1800m at
at Jebel Ali in March 2017.
the very first meeting of the season on his debut for Al Alawi having previously been trained by
“We had a nice low weight and came here pretty
Fawzi Nass. Well beaten over that course and
confident we could make the most of it,” Beasley
distance four weeks ago by Hello, who was fifth on
said. “This horse obviously really likes it here at
this occasion, he was settled just off the pace set by
Jebel Ali and that is two good wins this season. The
Piepowder Court before cruising past that rival
yard have been in great form throughout and we
with almost 600m still to run. Lee was sat
have to hope we can continue in a similar vein with
motionless and the pair never looked in danger of
the Carnival just around the corner.”
being caught though the horse was seemingly tiring in the final 100m.
A second Jebel Ali Purebred Arabian contest of the season, a 1600m conditions race, was a thriller with
Lee said: “Basically everything went right this
Foaad and Al Muhalhal Al Thani, who had shared
afternoon and I was able to get a nice lead for a
the lead pretty much from the outset, crossing the
long way before quickening to the front. He has
line locked together having duelled throughout the
then stayed on well and won quite comfortably. He
majority of the 900m straight. Foaad probably
clearly likes it here at Jebel Ali and is a young horse
exited the home turn with a slight advantage but NOMADIC
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who hopefully is still improving.” 24
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The 1600m handicap was run at a scorching gallop
lucky and opening his account as an owner having
with Team Meeting and Sam Hitchcott a dozen
seen Beachcomber Bay, a 3-year-old gelded son of
lengths clear at halfway. The lead dwindled
Invincibe Spirit finish third, then second, in
throughout the entirety of the long Jebel Ali
maidens over 1400m and 1200m at Meydan.
straight before they were finally collared by Fernando Jara and Still Life with about 125m remaining. Team Meeting weakened dramatically up the hill to finish sixth. Jara’s mount held off the late challenge of Initial to double his career tally on his 17th start, having previously landed a 1700m Sharjah handicap in January. “The horses have been running well all season and that fast gallop has suited Still Life,” Al Rayhi said. “That was a very good ride from Fernando who has timed his challenge perfectly.” Jara added: “He broke well today and I was always happy as the pace was very quick and we know he stays further so it suited him.” The 1600m maiden was won in dogged fashion by Mandolin Lullaby, who—under Xavier Ziani— was left in front on the home turn when early leader Soy Britanico failed to handle the bend under Jara, throwing away his chance in the process. Ziani’s mount galloped on relentlessly, losing her maiden tag at just the second attempt having been beaten more than 50 lengths in a 2000m maiden at Meydan on debut last Thursday. Owned by Hamad Rashed bin Ghadayer and trained by Sandeep Jadhav, the 3-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute had weakened quickly at halfway after leading early on in that Meydan race and clearly learned a lot from that experience. Having just his fourth career start and third locally, all this season, Beachcomber Bay was another winner on the card who was never headed, proving far too good for eight rivals in the finale, a 1200m maiden. Richard Mullen was in the saddle for Satish Seemar and AC Ellington, making it third time NOMADIC
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NOMADIC
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BOIS DE BOULOGNE SNATCHES SHARJAH FEATURE UNDER LOCAL APPRENTICE ERA
Mazrooei, the 4-year-old Street Cry colt started to sneak closer on the back straight, but was still only in midfield entering the home turn. Meanwhile, up front Invincible Strike, who had led from the outset under Richard Mullen for Satish Seemar, had set sail for home and looked the likely winner until Al Mazrooei produced Bois De Boulogne fast and late to snatch the spoils close home, the pair ultimately
Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club staged their
winning going away from Mullen’s mount who
penultimate fixture of 2018 on Saturday afternoon,
stayed on gamely for second. Saddled by Sandeep
highlighted by the only Thoroughbred race, the
Jadhav for Ahmad Ghalita Almheiri, it was a third
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup, in
career victory for the horse and second in the UAE
which Bois De Boulogne snatched what had, for
having landed a handicap over 1800m at Jebel Ali in
much of the race, appeared a most unlikely victory.
January.
Fifteen went to post for the 1700m handicap with
Al Mazrooei, having just his sixth mount of the
the eventual winner slowly away from a wide draw
season, was opening his account for the campaign
in 13 and stone last when the field set out on their
and said: “The yard were quietly confident and we
final circuit. Still with only one or two rivals behind
knew he would stay the trip well, so I was happy to
him at halfway under Emirati apprentice Saeed Al
take my time. I knew leaving the back we had a NOMADIC
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decent chance and he ran on very well in the
Well beaten on his only previous start at Al Ain, he
straight to win well in the end.”
had clearly benefitted from that experience and Oertel said: “We were keen to bring him here
Irfan Ellahi saddled no less than seven of the
because they do such a good job with the surface
16 runners, all owned by Sheikh Saeed bin
and it has really suited him. The horses have been
Maktoum Al Maktoum, in the opening 1200m
running well, but finishing second and third, so it is
fillies’ maiden and was able to celebrate
nice to get a winner. We were just denied in the
victory with the hard fought success of JAP
first and deserved a change of fortune.”
Jazmh, third on her only previous start, over 1000m at Sharjah, five weeks ago.
O’Shea added: “Fair play to the horse because that developed into a real battle and he really fought all
Royston Ffrench, who rode her on her debut
the way to the line.”
was again in the saddle with the pair tracking AF Taghzel throughout the first 900m before
The first two 1200m maidens were restricted to
throwing down a determined challenge.
those foaled in the UAE whereas the third was open
Ffrench’s mount hit the front soon after, but
to all and won by AF Mathayel, completing quick
AF Taghzel and Antonio Fresu fought back,
doubles for O’Shea, Oertel and owner Khalid Khalifa
closing on the winner in the final 50m, but
Al Nabooda who also bred both his winners. In
unable to regain the initiative.
somewhat a case of déjà vu, other than it was Muhaymin trained by Helal Al Alawi and not an
Ellahi who saddled 17 runners throughout the
Ellahi runner involved, the race developed into a
five Purebred Arabian races on the card, said:
duel from about the 600m marker when O’Shea
“We thought she was our best chance and we
went for home on the winner. Billy Lee conjured up
think she is a very nice filly with, hopefully, a
a renewed effort from Muhaymin who, for at least
big future.”
100m, looked likely to land the spoils, but the winner refused to be beaten, opening her account
The equivalent 1200m maiden for colts and
on her sixth career start and second run of the
geldings also attracted a maximum field of 16,
season.
but on this occasion very few were ever able to get involved. When early leader AF Mozhell
“We thought AF Mathayel was the horse we had to
weakened just after halfway the race turned
beat,” O’Shea said. “I followed him to about halfway
into a virtual carbon copy of the first race
when he seemed to hit a flat spot and I was still
other than, this time, Ellahi was denied by a
travelling well, so went on. We were getting a lot of
horse saddled by Ernst Oertel, trainer of AF
weight so I was happy to go for home, but fair play
Taghzel. JAP Malawih and George Buckell hit
to the runner-up because he really made us work
the front when AF Mozhell dropped away, but
hard.”
was instantly challenged by Tadhg O’Shea and AF Mezmar, the pair hitting the front 200m
A treble appeared on the cards for much of the
out, only for the former to renew his
concluding 2000m handicap with O’Shea taking AF
challenge, but not quite able to get back to the
Taraha straight to the lead and, having seen off
front.
stable companion AF Al Mehleb with 250m left,
victory looked likely until Fresu managed to produce Secret Sentinel with a decisive challenge close home. Fresu, sporting the silks of Forta Stud, was riding for Helal Al Alawi and explained: “That was a nice surprise to be honest as this horse had not been showing much in recent runs, but, in fairness to Mr Al Alawi who is having such a good season, he did say the horse would run well and he most certainly has.” An hour earlier, it was then the turn of Sheikh Saeed and Ellahi to complete a double with JAP Al Thuraya and Fernando Jara probably never headed in a 1000m handicap, battling on grimly to deny Ffrench a brace aboard stable companion Qanoon. In another race very few of the runners, this time 15, looked like winning, Jara kicked his mount clear about 500m out in what, ultimately, proved a race winning move with Qanoon making relentless progress over the last 300m, but never really looking like catching Jara’s mount. A maiden previously, this was just a sixth career start for the winner, a 4-year-old filly by AF Al Buraq, also the sire of AF Mezmar.
Jara said: “She was well away from the stalls, so I just let her do her thing and she kept on going. She might have been getting a bit lonely in the closing stages, but when she heard the second closing she picked up again in game style."
Promising RB Money To Burn Stays Ablaze With Abu Dhabi Championship Victory ERA
In a field reduced to 14 after two withdrawals on veterinary advice, Pat Cosgrave sent RB Money To Burn straight to the front and they never really looked in any danger, always holding the challenge of Hakeemat Muscat in a race only four runners ever really held any realistic chance of winning. Immensely impressive when never headed on her debut in a 1400m maiden on the Al Ain dirt surface four weeks ago, the 3-year-old
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club staged its penultimate
daughter of Majd Al Arab, saddled by Eric Lemartinel for
meeting of 2018 on Sunday with half of the six races
Sheikha Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nahyan, handled the
dedicated to 3-year-old Purebred Arabians, including
switch to turf with aplomb and soon had a substantial
the featured 1600m Abu Dhabi Championship (Listed
advantage. “To be honest she almost ran away with me
PA), won in determined fashion by RB Money To Burn.
in the first half of the race so enthusiastic was she,”
Cosgrave admitted. “She has plenty of speed and
Connections only had one runner in the 2200m
enthusiasm, but just as importantly, she is tough and
handicap and O’Shea completed his own double and a
has a great attitude as she showed there when she had
treble for owner and trainer when producing AF Kafu to
to dig deep near the line. Obviously it is always nice to
lead close home.
win the big races and this is a filly who should improve with experience. Hopefully she has learned a lot this
“We had a double at Sharjah yesterday so it has been a
evening.”
good two days,” Al Nabooda said. “I have a very good trainer and we are lucky to be able to use these top
Also for 3-year-olds, the meeting opened with the
jockeys.”
1400m Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (Prestige) in which Tadhg O’Shea was ultra-positive from the outset
Oertel added: “We have changed tactics a bit with this
aboard debutante AF Moutherah with the pair, despite
horse. (Being) ridden a bit more patiently certainly
being drawn 15 of the 16 runners, soon able to get to the
seems to suit him. I am very lucky to train these horses
front. At halfway, they were a long way clear and
for such an enthusiastic and successful owner.”
remained so until the final 100m when, tiring, her advantage was reduced at the line to almost a length by
The only Thoroughbred contest, a 2400m handicap,
fellow debutante Al Shaheenya, but the result was
provided trainer Ismail Mohammed with a belated first
never in doubt.
winner of the season with his 19th runner. Brass Ring and Fabrice Veron swooped from last at halfway to lead
O’Shea, riding for Ernst Oertel and Khalid Khalifa Al
inside the final 100m, having suddenly emerged as a
Nabooda, who also bred the filly, said: “She is a lovely
real threat on the rail at the top of the relatively short
big filly and from that wide draw I was keen to be
straight and going on to win.
positive and she is still very raw. Hopefully she has learned a lot from that and can improve markedly. The
“It is nice to get a winner for Ismail and the team,”
final 200m seemed a long way because we have gone
Veron said. “I was able to give him a breather down the
plenty fast enough early on and she was getting tired
back straight and he has then made ground pretty
late on as she was entitled to. She is a filly we really like
effortlessly before quickening when I asked. He had not
and—unusually for us—we have actually taken her for a
won since April 2014, so with luck this will do his
couple of racecourse gallops to try and help her
confidence the power of good and it was a very
education so it is particularly pleasing she has won.”
pleasing performance after a break since March.”
Owner and trainer then supplied first and second in the
The 1600m maiden was won quite stylishly by Majd Al
Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (Prestige), over the same
Ghariba, whose 15 previous attempts were highlighted
1400m, but O’Shea was denied on this occasion by
by a second, over the same course and distance, in
Antonio Fresu, who was never headed aboard AF Saab.
January. This was his sixth outing since and fourth this
Runner-up on his sole previous racecourse appearance,
season. Ridden by apprentice Saif Al Balushi, the 6-
Fresu’s mount galloped on relentlessly in the straight.
year-old was saddled by Ridha ben Attia for Suhail Ali Salmeen Ali Al Mazrouei.
“He was a second in what was a pretty good maiden on debut and I was very pleased to be asked to ride him,”
Al Balushi said: “I was actually pretty happy most of the
Fresu said. “Riding for these connections, you know you
way round. Once he quickened to challenge, I knew we
always have a chance in such races and he has shown a
would win.”
very good attitude this evening to win that nicely.”