Racing Weekly Issue 8

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.”

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NOMADIC

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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.”