THE final meeting of 2020 at Jebel Ali saw three-year-old dirt debutant Dark Silver demolish his seven rivals to post a very impressive success in a six-furlong conditions race.

Formerly trained in Britain by Ed Walker, and failing to win in 17 attempts, the Dark Angel gelding made a mockery of that statistic on his first start for Ahmad bin Harmash. Ridden by birthday boy Fernando Jara, he took over a furlong from home and was soon clear. Dark Silver now carries the colours of Mohd Khalifa Al Basti having changed hands for 23,000gns at Tattersalls in August.

Jara said of the Yeomanstown Stud and DOC Bloodstock-bred who sold for €240,000 as a yearling: “We expected a good run certainly, but not to win like that! He had been going nicely at home and he is a horse I ride most mornings, so knew he was training well.”

A dozen juvenile colts contested the opening six-furlong maiden but the vast majority may have stayed at home as Mouheeb made an impressive winning debut for racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Trained at the adjacent Jebel Ali Stables by Nicholas Bachalard, the son of Flatter was soon in front under Tom Marquand and, once kicked clear passing the two-furlong pole, the result was never in doubt.

A $400,000 purchase at Fasig-Tipton in June of this year, Mouheeb looks an exciting recruit. Bachalard said: “We always thought he was a nice horse and he has always trained well at home, so we were quite hopeful coming here. We would have to look at the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial I guess, but hopefully he is a horse with a big future.”

Landmark win

A six-furlong handicap was won by the maiden Honorable Justice at his sixth attempt for Salem bin Ghadayer. Under Royston Ffrench, the four-year-old Majesticperfection colt grabbed the initiative soon after halfway and had to dig deep to thwart a sustained challenge from a number of runners, the first three separated by a head and a nose.

It was a 300th UAE winner for Royston Ffrench who said: “It is great to reach such a landmark and I have been blessed with some good horses to ride for some great trainers.”

Bred by Richard Kent and Robert Percival, and receiving weight from all eight of his rivals in the six-furlong handicap, Dahawi was able to take advantage under a confident ride from Antonio Fresu, riding for Musabbeh Al Mheiri. The four-year-old gelded son of Heeraat was registering a fourth victory and second for Al Mheiri.

He has changed ownership this season though and is currently the only horse to have carried the colours of Abdulmagid Elkout. Winning rider Fresu said: “He was second to a good sprinter in Lavaspin at Meydan last time, form which entitled him to win this race which he has done nicely.”

Dark Of Night

A capacity field of 14 lined up for a mile maiden for three-year-olds and it proved the perfect opportunity for Dark Of Night to finally get his head in front after 11 previous runs. Unplaced in four British outings for Saeed bin Suroor and Godolphin, the George Kent-bred Dark Angel gelding was purchased by Nasir Askar and sent to Musabbeh Al Mheiri.

He made no mistake under Antonio Fresu and won comfortably, completing doubles for the jockey and trainer Al Mheiri, who said: “This horse has run many good races and I am delighted for him, his owner and everyone involved now that he has now managed a win.”

The concluding mile handicap was won by Habah, the only filly among the eight runners. She was always in control once hitting the front with a furlong and a half remaining under Pat Dobbs, riding for Doug Watson in the colours of Ali A Aneizi. A four-year-old daughter of Twirling Candy, she was recording her second career success. She finished fourth in the Group 3 UAE Oaks at Meydan.