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Abu Dhabi doubles for O’Shea, Oertel & Al Nabooda includes landmark 400th local winner for the owner
A 2200m handicap Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Only opened proceedings at Abu on Thursday with Tadhg O’Shea, riding for his main employer, Champion Owner Khalid Khalif Al Nabooda, looking confident throughout aboard AF Ramz, the pair hitting the front about 275m out and always holding on for Ernst Oertel. It was UAE winner 400 for the owner. It was a third career and consecutive success for the homebred 6yo entire, on his seasonal debut, having finished the last campaign with two victories in March, the second over this Abu Dhabi 2200m. Oertel said: “He is a nice horse and we have given him plenty of time as we did not want rushed him. We had this race in mind for a while and it has proved a good decision.”
Connections were celebrating a double after a 1400m handicap, O’Shea always seemingly knowing he had matters under control aboard AF Ghayyar, denying stable companion AF Layth in the final 175m, both homebred by Al Nabooda. Settled in third or fourth, O’Shea was always travelling well aboard the 4yo colt, also having his first start of the campaign; who was doubling his career tally on just his fifth outing. He opened his account, at the second attempt, in a 1200m Abu Dhabi maiden in January. O’Shea said: “We had a nice draw, they went a nice, steady gallop and I was able to get a good posse in behind. It all worked out well.”
The finale and only Thoroughbred race on the card, a 1600m handicap, produced something of a surprise outcome, Sandro Paiva producing Mouser, fast and late down the centre of the course to claim the prize for Mohamed Ibrahim and owner Sultan Ismail Ahmad Abdulla Albalooshi. Previously a maiden after nine appearances, the 6yo gelded son of Kitten’s Joy was unraced when in the ownership of Godolphin, finally making his debut, for his current trainer in early November 2019. Paiva said: “I rode on his only start this season at Jebel Ali, over 1950m, and he has clearly enjoyed the shorter distance and switch to turf. I think he can improve on this.”
Initially first reserve, Raazaq Baynounah built on the promise of his debut second a month ago, easily landing a 3yo maiden for horses foaled in the UAE, over 1400m, Pat Cosgrave in the saddle for Abu Dhabi Racing and Nisren Mahgoub. With the leaders setting a blistering early gallop, Cosgrave raced at the head of the remainder before committing for home entering the final 300m and the race was soon over as a contest. Cosgrave said: “I did not ride him the first day but he ran well and has done that very nicely this evening.”
Richard Mullen produced homebred 4yo debutante Mizna to lead close home in a 1600m maiden, snatching the spoils for Al Asayl and Salem Al Ketbi. Seemingly short of room just behind the leaders on the home turn, Mullen’s mount picked up stylishly once in the clear and always looked likely to grab victory over the final 75m. Mullen said: “She is a filly we have always liked but she has not been the easiest at the stalls which is why we put a hood on her. She was ready to run a month ago but has needed a lot of work regarding getting her in the stalls. That patience has been rewarded.”
A 1600m handicap was won in thrilling fashion by Shoja’A Muscat who looked set for a comfortable success when passing early leader Namrood with about 225m remaining, only for that rival to force his head back in front about 75m from home. However, he was unable to deny the last gasp lunge of the winner, partnered by Saif Al Balushi for Khalifa Al Neyadi who both owns and trains the 5yo entire. Al Balushi said: “I thought we had won but knew it was very close so was delighted when the result was confirmed.” Source and Photos: Emirates Racing Authority Welcome to Arabian Horse Intl
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