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| Sumita Pawar |
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Al Nefud impressed in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile [Presented by Palm West Beach] at Meydan Racecourse, showcasing his exceptional talent. His recent performance proved that he is still as good as ever.
Al Nefud, a 5YO trained by Bhupat Seemar, was a hopeful for the Dubai World Cup after finishing second to Hot Rod Charlie in the 2022 Gr.2 Maktoum Challenge Round 2. However, he had been out of competition since March of that year. In his return to the track, Al Nefud went up against an impressive field that included Group winners Golden Goal, Atletico El Culano, and Secret Ambition.
Under the confident ride of Tadhg O'Shea, the Dubawi gelding powered home to win by an impressive six and three-quarter lengths. Golden Goal came in second, while Secret Ambition, the 2019 winner, finished third. This win was particularly special as it was Al Nefud's first time running in the silks of new owners Michael and Negar Burke, who purchased him for US$2,17,829.36 at the recent Al Rashid Stable dispersal sale.
“I said to Michael [Burke] and the owners that he hadn’t run for 600 days, but I don’t think there’s anything his equal over the mile in this country,” said O’Shea.
“He is fragile, his form shows that, but he’s a high-class horse and I’m delighted for the Burke family – they weren’t afraid to put their hand in their pocket and pay for this fellow.
“You see a performance like that and you think it’s scary if he improves for it, but he has to.”
Trainer Bhupat Seemar and 11-time Champion Jockey had a successful night, with a treble of wins. One of these wins came from Mendelssohn Bay, a 2YO gelding who won the Palm West Beach Maiden over 1400 metres. Despite being described as 'quirky', Mendelssohn Bay closed hard in the straight and defeated long-time leader Million D'Oro by a length.
“He’s the only Thoroughbred I know who can do a 360degree turn in full canter!” said O’Shea. “He’s far from straightforward, but he’s only a baby. He’s had a good experience there and he has plenty of talent. He’ll be a lovely horse going two turns.”
The Dubai Island Conditions race for 3YOs over 1600metres saw the completion of the Zabeel Stables treble. Southern Artist, who won on debut at Jebel Ali in March but struggled in Listed grade next time out, made no mistake after a summer break, winning by half a length over Tiger Nation.
Meanwhile, Lahfaty, a US$210,000 Keeneland yearling purchase, won the Palm Jumeirah Maiden for 2YO fillies over 1200metres with an impressive three-length victory over Fatinah, despite being fractious in the stalls and having to be rousted along to take the lead early on. Ben Coen was the jockey. The Michael Costa bandwagon just keeps on chugging.
“I didn’t necessarily want to lead but I was caught four deep down the back and I just wanted to get in,” said Coen. “She got into a nice rhythm but was quite green in front and if I’d have taken my foot off the gas she’d have had a look around.
“She’s hit the line strong, so they’ll be no problem stepping up in trip.”
Jockeys Costa & Coen Secure Double Victory In Dubai
Costa and Coen had a successful outing when Thawban emerged victorious in the 1200-meter The View at The Palm handicap, securing a double for the team. Having previously finished fourth at Jebel Ali, the 3YO was in excellent condition for the race. Despite starting off slow, Thawban managed to catch up and overtake leader Mr Kafoo in the final furlong, ultimately winning with ease.
“We went a good strong even gallop and I got there in a matter of strides; probably too soon,” said Coen after his fifth winner of the campaign. “But to be fair he kept on finding more.”
Mickael Barzalona, the Dubai World Cup-winning jockey, started the season with a bang by winning the Palm Jebel Ali Handicap over 1600metres aboard Made In Dubai. Trained by Salem Bin Ghadayer, the 4YO won his first dirt race by beating Pitcher’s Point by two lengths after weaving through his rivals late in the race.
Barzalona said that Made In Dubai loves coming between horses and doesn't care about the kickback. In another race, Bin Ghadayer completed a double when his Book Review won the Thunder Snow Handicap over 1900metres.
Jockey Royston Ffrench played to the six-year-old's strengths by dictating the pace and winning by six and three-quarter lengths over Franz Strauss. The first Purebred Arabian Group race of the season went to Najm Al Wathba under jockey Bernardo Pinheiro for trainer Majed Al Jahoori. The 4YO won by two and a half lengths from Nadelshiba in the Gr.2 Bani Yas, presented by the Crown Palm.