The featured Group 3 Al Ruwais over 1,000m at Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening was a memorable occasion for Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour, who provided the first three home.
The race looked at the mercy of last year’s runner-up Rakha, trained by Majed Al Jahouri, who led throughout the straight under Silvestre De Sousa, only to be joined in the final stride by James Doyle on Sha’Red, making a ‘winning’ local debut for rookie trainer Yousif Al Bloushi.
After much deliberation, the judge could not split them, announcing a dead-heat.
Owner and Al Jahouri also supplied the third, Thakif, who completed a third consecutive win in the race.
The main support race, the 1,600m Abu Dhabi Equestrian Gold Cup, also produced a thrilling finish with Kareem W’Rsan looking set to score 200m out, only to be collared by Ameer Al Reef, trained by Jaber Bitar, who himself was caught almost on the line by stable companion Ragdan.
Doyle, again producing a telling late challenge, rode the winner and said: “I thought we had just made it in time. He really responded well in the final 300m and what a good result for the yard.”
If ever a horse deserved a win at Abu Dhabi it was the Erwan Charpy- trained Amaan, third once and twice runner-up in his previous three outings.
He finally gained his due award, making all under Paul Hanagan in the only Thoroughbred race, a 2,200m handicap.
Racing opened with a 1,400m maiden and RB Smokin Rich, originally the second reserve but granted a run after two withdrawals, was the easy winner for Champion Trainer Ernst Oertel and Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea.
Trainer Jaber Bittar would appear to have a nice prospect on his hands in the shape of Sharaf Al Reef, who recorded a second career win in the 1,600m conditions race under Richard Mullen.
Emirati apprentice Saeed Al Mazrooei rode a winner at Meydan on Saturday and followed suit with the victory of Day Breaker in a 1,600m handicap for trainer Ahmed Al Mehairbi.
Winners:
Race 1 1,400m maiden RB Smokin Rich Race 2 1,600m conditions race Sharaf Al Reef Race 3 1,600m Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club Gold Cup (prestige) R agdan Race 4 1,000m Group 3 Al Ruwais Sha’Red/Rakha Race 5 1,600m handicap Day Breaker Race 6 2,200m handicap (Thoroughbreds) A maan
