The featured 1,600m Thoroughbred handicap at Abu Dhabi yesterday was dominated by Sheikh Hamdan who saw his colours carried by the first four home, with retained jockey Paul Hanagan leading the way on the Doug Watson trained Jawhar.
They beat stable companions Mujrayaat, who finished well in second, as did Funon in third, and Entifaadha fourth.
Hanagan said: “Sheikh Hamdan had eight in the race so I am delighted to have picked the right one. They went pretty quick, which suited me.”
Racing opened with a 1,600m maiden, won by AF Masharef and ridden by Gerald Avranche for his French compatriot Eric Lemartinel.
Avrance said: “She ran very well last time when second and has won this in good style. She can hopefully progress from here as that was only her fourth start and she has improved with experience.”
Trainer Mohammed Ramadan opened his seasonal account, at the 69th attempt, with the success of Ubu Al Mels and Royston Ffrench in a 1,600m handicap. Never far off the pace, Ffrench committed for home 400m out and the pair never looked likely to be caught.
Having impressed when making a winning debut at Al Ain at the end of January, the Ernst Oertel trained RB Dixie Burning built on that victory with a comfortable win in the 1,600m fillies and mares’ conditions race.
Ridden by Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea, she was settled in the middle of the field before making smooth progress 400m out. The pair hit the front 200m out, running on strongly to defeat stable companion Richly Blessed. O’Shea said: “She is a nice filly and an interesting prospect.”
Oertel promptly doubled up with Hab Nessnas in the following 1,600m handicap, with Pat Cosgrave riding the winner. “This horse is a bit of a character but has plenty of ability, and it is always nice to get a winner here at Abu Dhabi,” said Cosgrave post-race.
Wadi Al Sail recorded his second win of the campaign for trainer Omar Damaj Mohammed with Thomas Brown in the saddle in the 1,400m handicap.
Slightly tardy at the start, the pair made relentless progress 500m out and swept to the font with 200m to go, winning comfortably.
Brown said: “Other than the start, everything went to plan, though I probably hit the front a bit too soon. He seems to be improving.”
Winners
Race 1 – 1,600m maiden
A F Masharef
Race 2 1,600m handicap
Ubu Al Mels
Race 3 1,600m fillies/mares conditions
R B Dixie Burning
Race 4 1,600m handicap
Hab Nessnas
Race 5 1,400m handicap
Wadi Al Sail
Race 6 1,600m Thoroughbred handicap
Jawhar
