Dubai: Art Wave, trained by reigning UAE champion Musabah Al Muhairi, has confirmed himself as a Jebel Ali Racecourse specialist.
Small wonder, considering the four-year-old was notching a third victory from 12 starts at a track at which he has only twice finished out of the first four.
With former Dubai World Cup-winning jockey Fernando Jara riding a confident race Art Wave denied favourite Shamaal Nibraas, who won the Shadwell Farm Handicap 12 months ago, from repeating the feat, when posting a three quarter-length victory on Friday.
The 1,400 metre handicap featured only five runners and was expected to be ultra-competitive. But it was Art Wave and Shamaal Nibraa, representing in-form handler Doug Watson who dominated proceedings, leaving their rivals over seven lengths in arreas.
The winner was recording a second victory of the season at the track and Jara was happy with the way he performed in this highest test.
“He was getting weight from the rest, but it was always going to be a tough race,” said the Panamanian. “He’s not the easiest horse to ride but he tries very hard as you can see from his good record.
“He’s a nice horse for the future and I believe he has a lot more to offer. Musabah and the team have done a good job with him which showed in the way he ran today and battled hard to the finish.”
Meanwhile Paul Hanagan, retained jockey to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Minister of Finance, wasted no time to get off the mark on his seasonal debut, when he partnered Mushaakis to win the Zayed University Handicap over 1,200 metres.
The winner came home a comfortable two-length winner over Stunned, ridden by Pat Dobbs for Watson, with Conform With Fact in third, a further two and a quarter lengths behind.
“It’s always nice to get your first winner. He looks a nice horse,” said Hanagan of the son of Shamardal, who was notching a second win at the track this season.
Watson extended his lead at the top of the trainer’s champion when he saddled Just A Penny to win the Abu Dhabi University Handicap over 1,200 metres.
However, Pat Dobbs had to be at his best to see off apprentice George Buckwell aboard the ASl Muhairi-trained Stalactite.
Tadhg O’Shea continued to set a blistering pace in the jockey’s ranks booting home a Jebel Ali double when winning the opening two races on the card.
O’Shea was aboard Albayan who won the Shadwell Handicap from Periphery and the Irishman returned 30 minutes later to steer Beachy Head to a comfortable six-length victory over Enery in the Shadwell Farm Handicap over 1,400 metres.
Results
Jebel Ali Racecourse
Race 1. Shadwell Handicap (Thoroughbreds) 1600m Dirt:
1.Albayan (A Al Raihe) Tadhg O’Shea; 2. Periphery; 3. Zalzilah; 4. Hacienda.
Distances: 1.25 length, 1.25, 2. Time: 01:38.61 secs.
Race 2. Shadwell Farm Handicap (Thoroughbreds) 1400m Dirt:
1.Beachy Head (A Al Raihe) Tadhg O’Shea’ 2. Enery; 3. Resolute Response; 4. Active Spirit.
Distances: 6length, 0.5, 6. Time: 01:24.19 secs.
Race 3. Derrinstown Stud Handicap (Thoroughbreds) 1400m Dirt:
1.Art Wave (M Al Muhairi) Fernando Jara; 2. Shamaal Nibraas; 3. Al Razi; 4. Not A Given.
Distances: 0.75 length, 7.25, 8. Time: 01:23.74secs.
Race 4. Abu Dhabi Unversity Handicap (Thoroughbreds) 1200m Dirt:
1.Just A Penny (D Watson) P Dobbs; 2. Stalactite; 3. Crowdmania; 4. Lanadam.
Distances: Nose; 4length, 0.5. Time: 01:12.02 secs.
Race 5. Zayed University Handicap (Thoroughbreds) 1200m Dirt:
1.Mushaakis (A Al Raihe) Paul Hanagan; 2. Stunned; 3. Conform With Fact; 4. Roossey.
Distances: 2length, 2.25, 1.5. Time: 01:11.79 secs.
Race 6. The British University in Dubai Handicap (Thoroughbreds – Maiden) 1600m Dirt:
1.Tides Rise (A Bin Harmash) Frederik Tylicki; 2. Mountain Lion; Fa’Oz; 4. Indus River.
Disrtances: 1.75length, 1.75, Neck. Time: 01:40.33 secs.
