Pinheiro takes Abu Dhabi plaudits with a treble
Bernardo Pinheiro riding Zafaranah
The best of the Purebred Arabian action was a 1600m handicap and, having already ridden a double on the card, Bernardo Pinheiro exuded confidence aboard Naser Askar’s Zafaranah, saving ground on the inside rail on the home turn and, when the gap opened, staying there, the pair leading inside the final 125m to win cosily.
Saddled by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, the 5yo mare has now won three of her eight starts, twice over this course and distance.
Pinheiro said: “I thought I had some decent chances this evening and thankfully that has proved to be the case. She has run a super race. I was a bit worried if we could find a gap and I was very happy when one opened when I needed it.”
Tadhg O'Shea riding Nibras Passion
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Thursday evening’s (March 9) Abu Dhabi card of six races concluded with the sole Thoroughbred contest, a 1400m handicap which appeared particularly competitive on paper with a capacity field of 14 facing the starter but was turned into a rout by Nibras Passion.
A 5yo gelded son of Iffraaj, saddled by Ismail Mohammed for Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, he surged clear in the final 225m, completing a double on the card for Tadhg O’Shea.
In doing so the gelding doubled his own career tally, adding this to an equally impressive course and distance maiden success, as a 3yo, in January 2021.
O’Shea said: “He has always been a nice horse and has been threatening to get back to winning ways. He really quickened well when I asked him and that was a good performance.”
Bernado Pinheiro riding Ma'Aly Al Shahania
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On just her second career start local debutante, Ma’Aly Al Shahania allowed her 11 opponents short shrift in the opening 2200m maiden, Pinheiro in the saddle for Liwa Stables and their resident trainer Mohamed Daggash.
The 4yo filly’s sole previous outing, in her native France, was when only eighth in a 1600m conditions contest at the beginning of October at Toulouse.
Tadhg O'Shea riding AF Rami
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It was a similar story in the following 1400m maiden, this time Tadhg O’Shea and AF Rami always in control having hit the front with about 325m remaining. The pair was soon clear with the race in safekeeping.
Saddled by Ernst Oertel for Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, the homebred 6yo entire was having just his second racecourse appearance having finished third, 432 days ago, on debut over 1400m on the dirt track at Meydan Racecourse.
Marcelino Rodrigues riding AF Rasam
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An hour later, owner and trainer were celebrating a double, this time combining with the stable’s apprentice, Marcelino Rodrigues to land the lesser of two 1600m handicaps, AF Rasam just clinging on to deny Eyjabi.
Another Al Nabooda 6yo homebred entire, it was a fourth career victory for the horse, all on the Abu Dhabi turf, and second over this 1600m.
Bernardo Pinheiro riding Bant Al Emarat
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In the Al Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Only, a 1400m handicap was won in determined fashion by Bant Al Emarat, saddled by Qaiss Aboud and a first ever UAE winner for Saif Ahmed Hareb Mohammed Al Otaiba.
Previously a maiden after a dozen starts, not even having finished in the first three, the homebred 5yo mare was probably never headed under Pinheiro, running on gamely to complete a double for the jockey.
Source and Photos: Emirates Racing Authority
