MEYDAN January 5th

THE feature race at the Meydan weekend meeting was upstaged when H and B’s Moshaher (Goldencents) decimated his 10 rivals in the opening mile maiden on dirt. Making his racecourse debut, the Doug Watson-trained son of a two-time Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner tracked the leaders like a seasoned pro before toying with the field in the straight. He won by more than six lengths.

An $87,000 OBS April Two-Year-Old Sale purchase, Moshaher will now tackle the Dubai World Cup Carnival three-year-old programme that culminates with the world’s richest dirt classic, the $2.5 million Group 2 UAE Derby.

“We were very hopeful coming into the race, because his work at home has been exceptional, but you just never know if they will reproduce that,” Watson said. “We think he is a nice horse, so it is nice to see him win like that first time out. Hopefully, there is more to come with the UAE 2000 Guineas his next race.”

In the feature over a mile on the turf, the Musabbeh Al Mheiri-trained Azmaam (Dark Angel) proved too good for his rivals, winning by a measured length and a half. Jim Crowley was winning for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum on this Yeomanstown Stud-bred.

Crowley said: “That was actually the first time I have ridden him, but the trainer was pretty confident and he is a horse who tends to finish his races strongly, so I was happy to take my time. He was not the best away and I had to hassle him a bit early on, but after that he has carried me there nicely before quickening well.”

Heraldic (Discreet Cat) was never headed in the 11-furlong dirt handicap, responding positively to the urgings of Richard Mullen. The winner is trained by Satish Seemar for the Al Bait Mutawahed Team. Mullen said: “This horse is just so genuine and does not want to be passed, as he showed last time, and again today.”

The owners, trainer and jockey doubled-up with Bochart (Dubawi) in the seven-furlong dirt handicap, and had the race sewn up from the moment they shot clear early in the straight. The six-year-old gelding carried top weight. Mullen said: “That was a career-best from him and that was always the plan, to go forward and give him a breather, then go for home. It would be nice to get him into the Carnival.”

Trainer Ahmad bin Harmash celebrated victory with Rua Augusta (Arch) in the mile turf maiden. The four-year-old gelding was winning at the 15th attempt, having finished third in last year’s Listed Al Bastakiya on Super Saturday. Harry Bentley was posting his first winner of the UAE season with just his second ride. He said: “There are not many spare rides around this season with so many good jockeys here, but hopefully I will pick up more mounts.”

Pirate’s Cove (Dubawi) was never headed in the six-furlong dirt handicap, gaining a popular victory for trainer Sandeep Jadhav and owner Hamad Rashed bin Ghadayer. Reunited with Mickael Barzalona, he was kicked clear over a furlong out. Jadhav said: “He has been so unlucky the last twice when only caught close home, so he deserved that and I am delighted for him and his owner.”

In the concluding 10-furlong turf handicap, Barzalona and the Irish-bred Rio Tigre (Teofilo) roared to victory. The winner is owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and trained by Jadha. It was the winner’s third victory of the 2018-19 UAE season.

AL AIN January 4th

AL Ain staged a seven-race card for their first meeting of 2019, highlighted by a single race for thoroughbreds, a handicap over seven furlongs.

It was won by the five-year-old gelding Iftitah (Harbour Watch), ridden by Richard Mullen for trainer Satish Seemar. The duo had combined to win the previous evening’s Group 3 Dubawi Stakes on opening night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Always travelling well, Iftitah cruised into contention on the home turn before gaining the initiative with two furlongs to run.

They quickened clear but had to dig deep to hold off the late challenge of Jintshi, formerly trained by Seemar. Iftitah was registering a fourth career victory.

“The horse deserves that because he has been knocking on the door since we have had him, and was doing the same last season for Fawzi and his team,” said Mullen.

“Basically, if you leave him alone, out of traffic and let him travel at a speed he is comfortable with, he is happier that way.

“Hopefully now that he’s won again, it will do his confidence the power of good.”