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National Day doubles aplenty at Al Ain

Oxford ridden by Fernando Jara

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Seven races at Al Ain on Friday December 2, UAE National Day, all for Purebred Arabians, with a trio of conditions races, all worth AED150,000 sharing top billing, the first, over 1800m, settled close home when Fernando Jara, completing a double, produced Oxford (Valiant Boy (FR) - Cashmeire (US) by Calin De Louve (FR)) to snatch the spoils in the final 50m for Abdallah Al Hammadi and Al Ajban Stables.

The victory appeared unlikely until the final 275m when the 5yo entire responded gallantly to Jara’s urgings, the pair finally winning a tad cosily.

Salb ridden by Saif Al Balushi

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A similar contest, over 2000m provided Ibrahim Al Hadhrami the ideal opportunity to complete a double of his own, this time combing with the Omani Royal Cavalry and Saif Al Balushi who was aboard the undoubtedly talented Salb who was doubling his career tally in the process.

SS Izz Dubai ridden by Ray Dawson

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It took them a fair while to get to the front in a 1600m handicap but, once there, Ray Dawson and SS Izz Dubai never looked in danger of being denied for trainer Al Hadhrami and owner Ahmad Saeed Almazrouei.

On just his sixth start, it was a second career success for the 4yo colt who is actually unbeaten over this 1600m Al Ain Ain course and distance having made a wining debut over track and trip last November.

Marmara Xm ridden by Sandro Paiva

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Equally valuable, the concluding 1000m conditions contest was won in taking fashion by Marmara Xm always to the fore before dominating the final 150m under Sandro Paiva, completing doubles for the jockey, trainer Abdelaziz Daoud and owners Liwa Stables.

Mascotte Al Maury ridden by Sandro Paiva

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The fixture kicked off with a 1400m maiden which may have attracted a capacity field of 15 but was basically over as a contest when Paiva sent Liwa Stables’ Mascotte Al Maury to the front about 425m from home, the pair scoring in style for Daoud.

It was just a fourth career start for the 4yo filly and only second both in the UAE and on dirt after two outings in her native France and then seemingly failing to stay in an Al Ain maiden over 1800m a fortnight ago.

JL Ed Faust ridden by Fernando Jara

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A 1600m maiden restricted to 3yos developed into an early speed duel but Fernando Jara certainly had his fractions spot on, possibly never headed aboard debutant JL Ed Faust, in the silks of Khadim bin Hamed bin Khadim bin Butti Alhamid for trainer Ahmed Al Mehairbi.

Murafiq Al Khalediah ridden by Antonio Fresu

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Always prominent in a 1000m maiden under Antonio Fresu, Murafiq Al Khalediah stormed clear over the final 225m to register his first career success at the seventh attempt, in a race he finished sixth 12 months ago, for Khalifa Al Neyadi who both owns and trains the 6yo entire.

Source: Emirates Racing Authority