Yas Xmnsor winner of HH The Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup
Yas Xmnsor ridden by Saif Al Balushi
Over the 1200m on dirt, the HH The Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup, a Prestige contest for horses foaled in the UAE, at Sharjah Longines Racecourse, proved to be a thriller with the 14 runners splitting into three groups spread across the width of the track. The final 200m developed into a duel between AF Marmuq, always prominent in the centre, and Yas Xmnsor, far too quick for those racing on the far side.
The latter grabbed the overall initiative inside the final 125m and was always holding on, completing doubles for Saif Al Balushi and Khalifa Al Neyadi, this winner owned by Mohammed Abdlhamid Abdullatif Taha.
For the 5yo entire, it was a fourth career victory but first since last February when he completed three consecutive victories, two at Al Ain sandwiching a success at Abu Dhabi.
Desert ridden by Saif Al Balushi
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For horses foaled locally, the 2000m maiden which kicked off proceedings went to Desert, previously a maiden after 11 starts but expertly produced to lead close home by Saif Al Balushi, in the colours of Salem Hassan Alhosani, a first winner for the owner, and supplying trainer Al Neyadi his 14th winner of the campaign, equaling his personal best set last season and surpassed as per above.
A 5yo entire, Al Neyadi’s charge had finished third on three occasions, his best previous career efforts and all achieved at Sharjah which he clearly likes as this was just his fourth visit.
Zajer Al Wathba ridden by Fernando Jara
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Again for UAE-breds, a 1700m maiden restricted to 4yos was won in determined fashion by the homebred Zajer Al Wathba, Fernando Jara finding he had a very willing partner, making it third time lucky, for Jean-Claude Pecout and Al Wathba Racing.
Fifth over 1600m at Al Ain on debut, he was then a remote seventh, albeit in a stronger race, over the same trip on the Abu Dhabi turf and clearly relished this return to dirt and slightly longer trip. Having hit the front with about 225m remaining, he battled on gamely to deny Al Laith and Zaidan Al Wathba.
Kafar ribben by Richard Mullen
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Richard Mullen always looked confident aboard Kadar, trained by Salem Al Ketbi for Sheikha Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nahyan, in the 2700m handicap but was seemingly determined to leave his challenge as late as possible, the pair hitting the front entering the final 100m and always repelling a renewed challenge from runner-up On Cue who had been in front from just over 400m out until headed by the winner.
Homebred, the 5yo gelding was wining for the second time, adding this staying success to a victory in a maiden over 1800m at Al Ain in March. He has only raced five times.
JAP Al Afreet ridden by Richard Mullen
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The meeting had commenced, on Saturday, with a 1200m handicap, for horses born in the UAE and contested with very poor visibility, in which Mullen was always up with the pace aboard JAP Al Afreet.
Source and photos: Emirates Racing Authority (ERA)
