MEYDAN hosted an eight-race, non-Carnival meeting on Sunday afternoon. It proved a memorable occasion for Fawzi Nass and Adrie de Vries, the pair enjoying three winners, a second and a third from just five runners.

A seven-furlong dirt maiden for three-year-olds was contested by only four runners. Shake Hand, making his second appearance on the surface, easily opening his account at the fourth attempt with Adrie de Vries in the saddle for Nass, who owns and trains the colt by Honor Code. The rider said: “This looked a good opportunity on paper, and the colt took full advantage, doing it well.”

Jockey and trainer were soon completing a double after the following nine-furlong turf handicap, de Vries always seemingly confident aboard KHK Racing’s Sharar, the pair putting the race to bed in a few strides with less than two furlongs remaining.

It was the Gun Runner colt’s first time out of maiden company, and the jockey said: “That was only his fourth start and just second on turf. He was very professional today and surprised me just how well he won.”

Became three

Two soon became three, Go Soldier Go and de Vries scoring comfortably in a nine and a half-furlong dirt conditions race for three-year-olds. Saddled by Nass for Victorious, the Tapiture colt was another opening his account at the fourth attempt but, in his case, all his starts have been on the Meydan dirt, previously finishing third twice and most recently second.

Nass and de Vries were denied a fourth success on the card when Kanood was runner-up in the featured nine and a half-furlong turf handicap won by Sari Dubai, saddled by Doug Watson for Saeed Sultan Al Rahoomi, Pat Dobbs grabbing the initiative about a furlong and a half, out and the pair always holding on. A four-year-old Creative Cause colt, he was a maiden until his mile turf debut three weeks ago, but has now won twice.

Dobbs and Watson completed a double in the concluding turf handicap over nine furlongs. Exciting Days, a six-year-old gelded son of Blame racing for the first time in the colours of Al Bait Mutawahed Team, led from a long way out and never looking likely to be caught.

Competitive

The six-furlong turf handicap looked competitive on paper, but ultimately proved a straight forward assignment for Miqyas, dominant throughout under Oscar Chavez for the Bouresly Racing Syndicate. Rashed Bouresly trains the syndicate’s runners and this eight-year-old gelded son of Oasis Dream, bred by Shadwell, arrived here having won his previous appearance, a six-furlong handicap on dirt at Sharjah. This was actually just his second turf outing.

First Winter was a narrow winner of the mile turf handicap, he and Gabriel Malune just holding on in determined fashion from El Patriota and Aeonian who were both finishing fast and late. Trained by Ahmad bin Harmash for Sultan Ali, the six-year-old Dubawi gelding had not tasted success since his second career victory at Sandown in August 2020 for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin.

Malune said: “Dropping him to a mile was a good move, and I was always happy behind the leaders. He then quickened well and was brave at the end.”

Belated win at Al Ain

THE only thoroughbred contest on a seven-race card at Al Ain last Saturday was a 13-furlong handicap on dirt. Eight faced the starter, but the race developed into a duel from a long way out when Gliding Bay hit the front.

However, he was soon harried by the Irish-foaled East Coast Road and Jose da Silva, the pair finally leading where it really mattered after an enthralling tussle.

Saddled by Ismail Mohammed for Abdulla Al Mansoori, the five-year-old Iffraaj entire was losing his maiden rag after 10 fruitless previous outings, five apiece locally for Mohammed and in Britain for David Simcock. He had been placed twice.

A tasty win for Cosgrave

THURSDAY’S six-race card at Abu Dhabi concluded with a seven-furlong handicap on turf. The only thoroughbred contest on the card, it brought up a double for Pat Cosgrave, this time combining with trainer Ali Albadwawi, delivering Shadwell’s Al Salt to lead close home. A homebred six-year-old gelded son of Mukhadram, Cosgrave’s mount was winning for the fourth time and second locally.