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| Rowan Anderson |
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Australian trainer Michael Costa and South African hoop Jean Van Overmeire teamed up this season in hopes of showing what they could do with their partnership.
The past two meets at Jebel Ali on Saturday and Meydan yesterday have seen them deal up a double in both meets.
On Saturday the first win for the team came in race two, the Al Shafar Investment Cup, with the 3YO gelding Mawthog winning in his maiden by 4.5 lengths after tracking leaders and hitting the lead 650m out from home for owner Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
It was a race to race double with Bilhayl under Van Overmeire rolling on to beat Rayig past the post by three lengths.
On Sunday it was a card-opening win that kicked off the double for them with the 5YO Torrkee breaking through for his maiden after nine starts.
Thirty minutes later Van Overmeire would storm home by a thumping nine lengths on Alhzeem breaking his maiden after six career starts.
Prior to the season Costa had high confidence regarding the hoop he had met and had experience working with in Australia.
“Just starting with riding abilities, he is an outstanding jockey,” Costa said.
“I really believe if he gets the opportunity here across the carnival, he can really match it with the big boys – so I am excited to see that from him.
“As a relationship he is just a great human being. He is determined and hungry – there really isn’t a bad bone in his body.
“I’m really blessed that we were able to land him and excited for what we can achieve this season.”
On Sunday afternoon jockey Mickael Barzalona was handy in the saddle taking a double of his own, highlighted by a victory in the 2410m turf handicap.
An impressive ride upon Deciduous for Salem bin Ghadayer in the colours of Salem Rashid Ghadayer was a display of staying.
The 4yo gelded son of Dubawi was looking handy and having the race wrapped up when entering the straight but inside the 400m the pack ate ground to gain on the leader piloted by Barzalona. Once he got the lead back, he went on to score easily and becoming the winner of half his six starts.
“I was always travelling very well and tried to go inside but the gap closed so I had to change plan and switch outside,” Barzalona said.
“Once in the clear he really picked up and won well. You would like to think he can build on that as he has not had much racing.”
The jockey was back in the winner’s enclosure after the following 1800m turf handicap, aboard local debutant Stormy Ocean, having his first start for Rabbah Racing and since joining training duo Simon & Ed Crisford.
Barzalona was impressive with the performance from his mount.
“That was the first time I have ridden him in a race and he was perhaps travelling too strongly early on but he has finished his race off well. Hopefully there is more to come from him as he is a nice, promising, horse.”