|
Al Jahoori & Pinheiro doubles followed by a Fresu brace as Sharjah stage final UAE fixture of 2022
The final UAE racing fixture of 2022 was staged at Sharjah on Saturday afternoon, highlighted by the GCC Cup, a 1700m conditions race with Prestige status, open to Purebred Arabians foaled in the GCC (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE) and won in stunning fashion by ES Abu Mousa who devoured the dirt in the final 250m to snatch victory, Antonio Fresu in the saddle for Hamad Al Marar in the colours of Obaid Ali Murshed Khamis Al Marar. The 6yo entire, literally, appeared to be travelling at least twice as fast as runner-up Hakaam with the wining post looming.
An hour earlier, Fresu was so confident he had the 1200m handicap won aboard Al Zafy he allowed the homebred 4yo colt, previously a maiden after just five starts, to ‘coast home’ over the final 50m and the Italian’s judgement was proven correct despite a late challenge from AF Dars who was closing fast under apprentice Marcelino Rodrigues. Khalifa Al Neyadi trains the winner for Ali Abdulaziz Al Owais, witnessing his colours carried to victory for the first time since the 2016/17 season having had few runners in the interim.
The opening 1200m maiden, for 3yo colts and geldings, was won relatively comfortably by Maahir who always looked in control after hitting the front entering the final 325m, running on strongly under Bernardo Pinheiro, riding the homebred colt for Yas Racing and Majed Al Jahoori. It was a massive step up from his only previous start when very keen, leading for 1000m before fading in a 1400m Al Ain maiden 57 days ago.
Over the same course and distance, the fillies’ equivalent followed and trainer and jockey wasted no time completing a rapid double, homebred debutante Asmaa Al Wathba always in control from the moment she hit the front at about the halfway point to score stylishly for Al Wathba Racing. She did show signs of experience once isolated in front over the final 300m which can only suggest there is more to come. It was a taking winning debut.
Ray Dawson made every post a winning one aboard Minwer in a 1700m handicap for trainer Ibrahim Al Hadhrami and owner Ahmad Saeed Al Mazrouei, the 5yo gelding doubling his career tally, now after 11 starts, adding this to a 2000m Al Ain maiden success in March 2021. Once committed for home entering the final bend, the result was in little doubt.
The final UAE race of 2022 and sole Thoroughbred event on the card, the concluding 1200m handicap witnessed a frantic early speed duel between High On Life and Miqyass who shook off his persistent challenger soon after halfway and never looked likely to be caught under Oscar Chaves for Rashed Bourely and the Bouresly Racing Syndicate. Source: Emirates Racing Authority Welcome to Arabian Horse Intl
Flat Racing / Endurance!
We hope you enjoy it and have a Good Reading!
|
