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| Staff Writer |
Michael Costa made significant strides towards his first-ever UAE Trainers’ Championship with a remarkable backyard treble for Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
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The "home team" showcased their dominance over the grueling UAE surfaces, with Saayedd, Lahfaty, and Alhzeem securing victories. These triumphs added to the unstoppable momentum of the Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stable, solidifying their position at the top.
The trio of wins followed Brazilian apprentice Marcelino Rodrigues' impressive early double, including victories in the opening events of the seven-race card.
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Rodrigues clinched his first win in the Wathba Stallions Cup, sponsored by HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Racing Festival, riding Ernst Oertel’s AF Kal Noor to a narrow victory in the 1800m handicap. Later, Rodrigues secured his fifth win of the campaign aboard Ismail Mohammed’s Never Just A Dream in the Emirates Airline Cup, a 1200m handicap.
Saayedd, making his racecourse debut as a 6YO in the Bin Dasmal Group Stakes, stormed to victory under Coen, showcasing professionalism and stamina. The Jebel Ali trio continued their winning streak with Lahfaty's triumph in the Al Nayefat Stakes sponsored by Tattersalls, followed by Alhzeem's gritty victory in the Umm Suqeim Stakes.
In other races, Fawzi Nass and Adrie de Vries' combination saw Military Artist claim victory in the Al Nawayef Stakes presented by Keeneland, while Capla Crusader, ridden by Pinheiro, emerged victorious in the Commercial Bank of Dubai Cup.
Costa's remarkable treble and the stellar performances of Rodrigues and Coen marked a memorable day at the races, highlighting the strength and depth of talent in UAE racing.