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Feature race success highlights O’Shea,
Thursday’s Abu Dhabi meeting featured a 1600m conditions contest for 4yos, taken in striking style by AF Maqam, completing doubles on the card for Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel and Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda. The homebred colt was registering a third career success on his seventh start but opening his turf account at the fourth attempt. Oertel said: “That was a good victory in a decent race against some of the top 4yos in the UAE. He found trouble in running but he was good enough to get out of it and he should have learned a lot today.” O’Shea added: “We were drawn well but I found myself further back than I planned but he picked up nicely and he is a good horse. I guess we will step him up in class now.”
A 2200m handicap Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Only kicked off proceedings and, in thrilling fashion, was won by Al Hazeez who, having raced in last of the 12 runners, was unleashed in the straight by Saif Al Balushi, the pair snatching the spoils in the dying strides for Khalifa Al Neyadi, owner and trainer of the 6yo entire, previously a maiden after 12 starts. Prior to this first success, one runner-up finish and twice third were the highlights on the winner’s resume. This was just his fourth start on turf.
Sporting the silks of Salem Ali Murshed Al Marar, Antonio Fresu then produced a virtual carbon copy effort in the following 1200m maiden, delivering ES Sudani fast and late, the pair leading in the final 25m, the 4yo colt opening his account at the sixth attempt for rookie trainer Hamad Al Marar. Fresu said: “I was pretty confident throughout as we had a good draw, he had some decent form and, when I asked, he quickened nicely.”
There was a distinct feeling of déjà vu just 30 minutes later, this time O’Shea delivering AF Musannef to lead in the final 25m of a 1200m handicap to deny stable companion AF Yakhtem, both horses saddled by Oertel for Al Nabooda, initiating doubles for connections. Homebred, the 6yo entire was registering a sixth career success, a fifth at Abu Dhabi and second over course and distance. He is actually unbeaten over this 1200m in the capital after just two opportunities. O’Shea said: “This is a good horse and he has done that nicely enough. They went pretty quick and my fellow stays 1400m well so I knew he would take me all the way to the line.”
In a 1600m maiden, for horses foaled in the UAE, after an early speed battle, Dane O’Neill was able to dictate the pace aboard 3yo colt Shugga’A Baynounah and the pair was never headed for Abu Dhabi Racing, providing Nisren Mahgoub her second winner in her first season as a licensed trainer. It was just a second career start for the winner who never threatened on debut, over 1200m here in Abu Dhabi, a month ago. Source and Photos: Emirates Racing Authority Welcome to Arabian Horse Intl
Flat Racing / Endurance!
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