Perfect record for Hamdan bin Mansour Al Nahyan after victory of Shateh

Peter Ward 08:35 08/02/2016
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  • Getting the job done: Bentley.

    The silks of fledgling owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Mansour Al Nahyan have been seen on a racecourse three times and, after Saturday’s Abu Dhabi victory of Shateh in the featured Group 3 Al Ruwais, have visited the winner’s enclosure on each occasion.

    Areem won twice for him earlier in the season with both horses trained by Nacer Samiri, who also saddled the runner-up in the 1000m dash in the shape of Sha’Red, owned by Sheikh Mansour. Sha’Red was seeking a third consecutive win in the race his owner had won in each of the last five seasons.

    Shateh, under Harry Bentley, was fastest away and was soon at the head of affairs, never relinquishing the lead.

    Bentley said: “After 430 days off it is a great training performance and this horse is quick, talented and versatile. There are few 1000m races he can run in but he stays 1600m so the trainer has options with him.”

    If stepped up to 1600m, Abhaar could be amongst his opposition after defending his crown in the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club Gold Cup.

    Restricted to horses foaled in the UAE and afforded Prestige status, the Eric Lemartinel-trained Abhaar registered his fourth win in the capital over the 1600m trip.

    Winning jockey, Tadhg O’Shea, said: “He may have only won by a neck but had plenty in hand as he just does enough. He would probably stay further now but is very good over this trip.”

    Makzon, ridden by Freddy Tylicki for Ahmad bin Hamash, won the only Thoroughbred race, a 2200m handicap, just as he had three weeks ago.

    Two 1400m maidens opened the card with AZ Al Nayef taking the first with Hector Crouch riding for trainer Helal Al Alawi, before the Mohd Al Shamshi Infijar and Carlos Sanchez landed the second.

    Veronica Aske trained her third winner of her debut season, saddling Latifa Princess to score in a 1200m handicap under Sam Hitchcott.

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