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| Staff Writer |
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Abu Dhabi's Classic seven-race card delivered excitement with thrilling finishes and standout performances from jockeys Sandro Paiva and Adrie de Vries.
The duo dominated, securing victories in five out of seven contests. Brazilian jockey Paiva showcased his skill with a hat-trick of wins, notably triumphing in the Emirates Fillies Classic aboard Howzan Baynounah, trained by Saif Almarar.
Paiva initiated his winning streak with a well-judged front-running ride on AF Yatwy in the opening PA (0-95) 1600m handicap. He then replicated this strategy with Howzan Baynounah, securing victory by a narrow margin over Jap Eshraq and Marmar Al Wathba.
“I rode her first time out and she was very green and had a bad draw, but she ran well to finish third despite needing the experience,” said Paiva.
“Today, she had a better draw, and she knew more what was required. I’m so grateful for all the support I receive, and it is a pleasure to win prestigious races like this.”
Piva, Almarar, and the owners Abu Dhabi Racing had a satisfying afternoon as they celebrated their victory in the 2200m handicap race aboard Reem Baynounah. The four-year-old horse was able to secure a comfortable win after a successful drop in grade. It was definitely a job well done!
It was an exciting end to the Emirates Colts Classic as Tadgh O'Shea, who is set to be the Champion Jockey, rode Ernst Oertel's AF Alarqaa to a narrow victory. The race was fiercely contested, and the winner managed to hold on by a short head and a nose from Tahhan Al Wathba and LZ Bibi, respectively. Despite losing a right fore-plate during the race, Oertel's four-year-old was able to overcome the challenge and secure the win.
“I’m delighted for his owner breeder, Khalifa Al Nabooda, as he puts an awful lot into the game and deserves success like this,” said O’Shea.
“Any of four or five horses could have won at the furlong marker so delighted my fella put his head down and won. Like a lot of the stable’s horses he’s tough and hard fit. The second came to him close home and he pulled out some more.
“The horses are in great health, and I hope they can continue in that form for the last fortnight of the season.”
King Of Time, trained by Simon & Ed Crisford, bounced back from a narrow defeat in Meydan with a comfortable victory in the 1600m Al Khaleej Al Arabi Park (0-95) handicap for Thoroughbreds. Jockey De Vries rode the progressive horse brilliantly, coming from the centre of the track with a powerful run to overtake Changing Colours, ridden by Paiva, and win by a length-and-a-half. Pat Cosgrave's Monaadah came in third.
“I rode him last time and he was unlucky not to win as he was done on the line. He has a fair amount of ability and it’s just a case of getting him to relax,” said the winning rider.
“He used to be a little keen in his races, but he travelled beautifully today and is going the right way.”
King Of Time, who won the 1600m Al Khaleej Al Arabi Park (0-95) handicap for Thoroughbreds, had a comfortable victory in the race. However, RB Bestevah, trained by Helal Alalawi, is a horse with a different temperament. Despite being a 16-race maiden before Saturday, the five-year-old is quite unpredictable. In his last race, he veered off-course sharply to the left when he hit the front. But, thanks to a masterful ride by De Vries, who smuggled him away on the rail, RB Bestevah produced a late surge to overtake Sand Storm AA, ridden by O'Shea, at the finish line.
“The horse has got plenty of ability, but he’s just a little bit tricky as you saw the other day,” said De Vries.
“We removed the blinkers and, because I know the horse from his last run, I tried to save his effort for the last moment, and it worked out. You don’t want to give him (RB Bestevah) too much time to think or too much daylight and preferably give him as little space as possible!”
In the 1400m handicap race for PA (0-75), four grey horses crossed the finish line almost simultaneously. However, it was AF Mutaaleq who emerged as the winner in a thrilling fashion under the guidance of Jules Mobian. This victory has further extended the recent successful streak of trainer Qaiss Aboud.