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Brazilian jockeys win four races in Al Ain

Of the seven races on the card at Al Ain Racecourse, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday 4th February, four were won by Brazilian jockeys. José da Silva won the second race, Sandro Paiva won the fourth and Bernardo Pinheiro won the fifth and seventh.

East Coast Road ridden by José da Silva

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The only Thoroughbred contest was a 2600m handicap for which eight faced the starter but developed into a duel from a long way out when Gliding Bay hit the front but was soon harried by East Coast Road and José da Silva, the latter pair finally leading where it really mattered after an enthralling tussle.

Eaulympik ridden by Sandro Paiva

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A rampant Ibrahim Al Hadhrami then saddled the 1-2 in a decent 2000m conditions race, Sandro Paiva and Eaulympik denying Tadhg O’Shea aboard stable companion Rajeh Al Cham, the winner, a 4yo colt owned by Ali Khalfan Al Shawi, shedding his maiden tag at just the third attempt.

Al Mansour NF ridden by Bernardo Pinheiro

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Trained locally by Helal Alalawi, a trainer who has really hit form after a subdued start to the season, Al Mansour NF and Bernardo Pinheiro always looked like holding on in the 1800m handicap, having hit the front quite early in the long straight and challenged late by Jawhar.

The winner, a 6yo entire, carries the colours of National Stables, Alalawi’s Al Ain base.

Najm Al Wathba ridden by Bernardo Pinheiro

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The concluding 1400m maiden also attracted the capacity field of 15 but soon after halfway it was obvious 14 may as well have stayed at home, Najm Al Wathba scooting clear early in the straight having probably never been headed under Bernardo Pinheiro for Majed Al Jahoori.

The homebred 4yo colt is an Al Wathba homebred and was making it third time lucky after two very promising Sharjah outings over sprint trips.

Source and photos: Emirates Racing Authority