 |
|
| Rowan Anderson |
 |  |
The best purebred Arabian racing talent was showcased at Abu Dhabi on a six-race card with their Thursday meeting highlighted by the Group Three Al Ruwais.
Three doubles were delivered by trainer Helal Alawi and hoops Tadhg O’Shea and Antonio Fresu.
The Group Three Al Ruwais worth AED $300,000 ran over the 1,200 metres and attracted a small field of seven.
The 5YO Bshara out of the Salem Al Ketbi stable was odds on favourite with Richard Mullen on board having won twice from six previous start both at the Abu Dhabi track.
From the gates Maahir led a bulk of the way until the Mussabbeh Al Mheiri trained Namrood came through on the rails under Antonio Fresu closing out his individual double in the saddle.
The 6YO gelded son of General had not won in a year since a thumping nine length win in Meydan as his only other career win.
The Listed Arabian Triple Crown Round 1 worth AED $230,000 saw a seven-horse field travel the 1600m journey.
Sulaiman Al Ghunaimi saddled Nadia Du Loup who with her 107 rating was the strongest hope in this race and also received a large portion of backing in markets.
In her UAE debut last start she showed what she had in her 4YO engine thumping the field winning by 11 lengths at the Abu Dhabi track. Prior to this victory she won a Group 3 at Toulousse in a tight finish winning over Jarra’ah Athbath by 0.5 lengths. In this contest she finished third nearly ten lengths off the leader.
It was long shot Kingmaker who would take the spoils here by close to eight lengths under Antonio Fresu on the back of a last start second placing in December. This was the 4YO Baseq Al Khalediah x RB Royale Madame’s first career win breaking his maiden on his third attempt, and what a impressive way to do so.
When the Prestige Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club Gold Cup began it had a field of 12 contesting the 1600m in the AED $125,000 race.
Khalifa Al Neyadi prepared a pair in Yas Xmnsor and Af Sanad who was seen as one of the top hopes who has not tasted victory since the Group Three Al Ain Mile last season but will be fresh and ready for this one. The stablemate Yas Xmnsor finished second by a neck with Bernardo Pinheiro.
Ernst Oertel saddled the favourite going in to the race in Af Maqam, the 5YO son of Af Alsalaam, and the support was rewarded with a lead all the way effort from O’Shea to win by a neck.
Last year’s winner in the Abubakar Daud trained Jawal Al Reef returned to defend his title after beating home Hameem by a short nose last year and put in a gallant effort to finish third but only two lengths off the leader.