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| Staff Writer |
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English rider Connor Beasley has made an impressive start to his return to the UAE, securing a stunning treble for trainer Ibrahim Al Hadhrami at Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening. Riding in the first three races of the card, Beasley claimed victory in all three for Al Hadhrami, who added to his tally for the season.
Beasley's first win came aboard Fakhr in the opening 1200m handicap, with the 29YO delivering a strong performance to overcome the competition. In the following race, Beasley piloted Jaleel to victory in the 3YO 1400m maiden, taking down the front-runner Najm Baynounah with a powerful finish. The final win of the night came aboard Altiber in the 1400m maiden for older horses.
The successful partnership between Beasley and Al Hadhrami made for a remarkable night at Abu Dhabi, with the duo showcasing their impressive form and skill. The evening also saw Richard Mullen make a welcome return from injury.
It was Beasley’s 11th win of the campaign and he said,“We had a good draw and my lad had good experience so there was no point complicating the job.
“He jumped well from the gates and travelled well in front, so we kept it pretty simple.
“He was entitled to win on his previous runs last year as they were good efforts so hopefully, he can progress from this and continue to improve.”
Pat Dobbs rode Bahwan to victory in the 1600m Conditions event, breaking the Beasley/Al Hadhrami stranglehold on the evening. Despite being off the pace for much of the race, Dobbs expertly delivered his mount to the line, narrowly beating Nadia Du Loup by a neck. The 4YO was trained by Adil Mouchahi and raced in the colors of Mansour Ali Sulaiman Salem Al Shamsi.
A delighted Mouchahi said,“I think we will look to Meydan for him and if we find something good for Abu Dhabi we will try again here.
“I think from the 1600m he can go up in trip – a mile and upwards is better for him.
“I booked Pat (Dobbs) one month before as I thought he would really suit the horse and that’s how it worked out!”
ES Midwakh, ridden by Adrie de Vries, delivered a strong performance to secure trainer Adnan Mohammed his first career victory. After eleven attempts, the horse finally shed its maiden status in the 1600m Al Wathba Stallions Cup for private owners.
“We went a good pace, and I was always sat with plenty in hand. He quickened up nicely in the straight and was well suited by the 1600m at a track like this,” commented De Vries who landed the penultimate race by a length-and-a-half from the Khalifa Al Neyadi-trained AF Yeheeb (Allaia Tiar). Beasley took third aboard Abubakar Daud’s Maimoun RS.
Aswan, who was trained by Simon & Ed Crisford, was able to capture the finale on his second start for Musabbeh Al Mheiri. Bernardo Pinheiro, with his smart tactical ride from the front, won the Thoroughbred 1600m handicap by three lengths, beating Chosen Mark (Ahmed Al Shemali/de Vries) and Miami Joy, who was partnered by Qais Al Busaidi for Ismail Mohammed.