Former Godolphin jockey Silvestre De Sousa was in scintillating form at Jebel Ali on Friday, partnering four of the six winners, with his quartet emulated by his main employer Musabah Al Muhairi, although they ‘only’ combined for a treble.
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Pride of place went to Interpret, winner of the official highlight, the Jebel Ali Stakes Prep over 1800m, for the dynamic duo. Well beaten on his seasonal return last week at Meydan, he was back to his best and will now defend his crown in the 1950m Listed Jebel Ali Stakes, which he won last year.
De Sousa said: “We knew he would strip fitter after last Thursday’s comeback and he goes particularly well on this Jebel Ali dirt and relishes the stiff uphill finish.” Al Muhairi and De Sousa then combined to win an 1800m handicap with Silver Galaxy who crossed the line over eight lengths clear of 12 rivals, who could not cope with the acceleration he showed 600m out.
Having only his fourth career start, Silver Galaxy lost his maiden tag in a 1600m course two weeks ago and looks highly progressive.
“He has improved with each run,” said De Sousa.
“We were confident this extra 200m would not be a problem and that was a good effort.”
Their treble was completed 30 minutes later by Muarrab, winner of the 1200m conditions race as he was last year when recording a third straight course and distance victory.
Not seen since, he has clearly had his problems but could prove a live threat in Carnival sprints as well as the Jebel Ali Sprint in March.
De Sousa said: “He is potentially a very useful sprinter and clearly loves it here at Jebel Ali.
“He had been pleasing us at home and we were very hopeful of a big run but his performance was probably better than we could have hoped.
“Fingers crossed there is a nice race in him.”
Al Muhairi made it four straight victories on the card when saddling Daar Rashid, under apprentice George Buckell to score in the concluding 1200m handicap. Earlier De Sousa began his great afternoon with victory aboard Dere’a Al Jazeera in the only Purebred Arabian contest, a 1400m conditions event.
On an afternoon of impressive winners, the Doug Watson-trained Okimono made his second career start a winning one in a 1400m maiden.
Off the track since September 2011, when second in a Goodwood maiden for Godolphin, he made his dirt and local debut successful und-er an ultra confident Pat Dobbs.
Watson said: “It is always a worry when they have been off that long but we always thought he was a nice horse and he looked good today.
“Fingers crossed he comes out of the race well.”
