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| Sumita Pawar |
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Trainer Abdallah Al Hammadi and jockey Connor Beasley had a remarkable day at the second Al Ain card of the 2023-24 season, as both of them achieved three wins each. Additionally, handler Ibrahim Al Hadhrami secured a double victory on the fixtures, with Beasley's support in the closing two races.
Indys Day and Oscar Chavez, sporting the lime green colours of Al Ajban Stables, bravely held off Hakeem with Sam Hitchcott aboard to win the Al Khobaisi Handicap for Purebred Arabians, giving trainer Al Hammadi his first victory of the campaign. Only Smoke, ridden by Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, finished third in the same race.
Al Hammadi's luck changed half an hour later in the Al Jimi maiden, where he saddled the first two horses across the line. Winner Gem, ridden by Al Moatasem Al Balushi, had to work hard to keep up with the strong early gallop, but persistence paid off in the straight as they swept by for an unlikely success.
Stablemate Will Power with Pat Cosgrave on board took second place, while Shuja, ridden by Bernardo Pinheiro, finished third. Al Hammadi and Al Ajban Stables went on to have a successful evening, with Optimizm winning the Al Basrah Handicap by five lengths, giving jockey Ryan Curatolo his fourth success of the campaign.
Meanwhile, in the opening Al Saad thoroughbred handicap, jockey Connor Beasley rode Anizzah to a hard-fought win for handler Ahmad bin Harmash and owner Khalifa Saif Rashed Al Maqoodi. Jazirat, ridden by Oscar Chavez, finished third for Saeed Al Shamsi. Beasley went on to win two more races, including Hathlla's thrilling debut in the Wathba Stallions Cup, where they bolted up by 15 lengths from Air Force Xmansor, ridden by Adil Mouchahi with Jaouad Khayate in the saddle. Wisam, ridden by Beasley, comfortably won the finale by four lengths for the in-form duo from the Hemidy Alhamida-trained Iznogod De Carrere, ridden by Oscar Chavez.
In the Al Hili Conditions event, former Dubai Kahayla Classic winner Deryan, owned by Yas Racing, made a pleasing comeback and won comfortably by two-and-a-quarter lengths, partnered by Bernardo Pinheiro and trained by Majed Al Jahoori. Oss, ridden by Al Balushi, finished second, while Maador, ridden by Tadgh O'Shea, took third for Helal Alawi.