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| Rowan Anderson |
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The new year has kicked off on the UAE tracks with racing at Jebel Ali.
With a seven-race card, the meet was highlighted by The Jebel Ali Mile Prep run over 1600m and saw eight contesting the race with three carrying the famous yellow silks of racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
However, it was Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum-owned Down on the Bayou who took the race out by close to four lengths in a dominant display.
The 5YO mare forged her legacy with her victory in the 1900m Group 3 UAE Oaks of 2020 when she powered home by more than 18 lengths clear of five rivals demolishing the field.
Before the race yesterday she had not won since January over the 1600 Jebel Ali journey but with Ffrench on board, the Salem bin Ghadayer returned to the winner’s circle.
“She is just lovely for a jockey as she is so genuine and tough. She loves to race like that and is then really gutsy when challenged. We all love her,” Ffrench said.
Another impressive performance from the race was from the Bin Harmash-trained Secret Victory who had not been seen in public since April 2021 having won two of his previous seven outings for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin.
The 631-day absence from the 6YO gelding was seen as a worry but he showed even finishing third his ability.
Tadhg O’Shea started his new year in the saddle with a bang passing the winner's post three times for a treble.
He now sits on 29 wins and a further 36 placings from 162 starts for the season as he continues to show his skills on horseback.
In the first UAE race of the year, a 1200m maiden for Purebred Arabians foaled locally, O’Shea took his first win from his treble taking control of the race at the halfway mark allowing AF Al Akhaf to roll to the front 400m from home.
Tiger Nation, a 3YO colt by Tamarkuz x Silken, broke through his maiden in his first start winning by 4.25 lengths delivering Royston Ffrench a riding double in the Al Shafar Investment Cup.
Race three saw O’Shea ride home Rayig, a 7YO gelded son of the Australian sire Exceed and Excel, for Bhupat Seemar leading in the final 100 metres to victory.
“That fast pace really suited him and he kept going when we hit the front so all credit to the horse. I guess he will come back here in a few weeks as he obviously likes Jebel Ali,” jockey O’Shea said.
O’Shea would complete the treble in the saddle returning to the winner’s circle in the finale.
The Deira Cup run over 1950 metres the 6YO gelding Ghost Of The Mambo worked hard taking the win by half a length.
The victory also delivered a double for trainer Bhupat Seemar and owner Prince Sultan bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz.