SHARJAH Racecourse, which carries the name Longines in its title, staged its second meeting of the new UAE season last Saturday afternoon. The six-race card was highlighted by the fixture’s sole thoroughbred race, an eight and a half-furlong handicap, the HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup.

The AED200,000 (€50,000) race was won by Philosopher, a spare ride for champion jockey Tadhg O’Shea who was replacing Royston Ffrench. The latter was injured at Abu Dhabi the previous day. Held up, Philosopher made headway leaving the back straight, eased into contention on the home turn and hit the front a furlong from home.