Doug Watson tips Udabaa for greater glory

Abu Dhabi: Udabaa lived up to his top billing when two-time British champion jockey Paul Hanagan rode him to a fine victory in the only thoroughbred handicap event of the evening at the Abu Dhabi Race Course on Sunday.

In his first UAE meeting on Friday at Jebel Ali, Hanagan went without a win from six starts. However, on Sunday evening, Hanagan was in total control right from the start and, after staying behind stablemate Mantoba, powered ahead in the 2,400m race on the final stretch.

One length behind was Tanfeeth ridden by Dane O’Neil, while Amaan, under apprentice Noel Garbutt, finished third, a nose behind. They completed a 1-2-3 for owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, under three different trainers.

It was Udabaa’s second triumph in the capital, and trainer Doug Watson was keen on giving him a run again in three weeks’ time.

“Udabaa won at Meydan in the all-weather last season and, this season, he seems to be going well. He is rated 87 and, with this win, he may move up to the low 90’s for the next race,” Watson said. “The way he is progressing over these kinds of trips, he might be able to keep this kind of form and maybe win again,” he added.

In the featured 1400m handicap, trainer Jaber Bittar took first and third, with Jesus Rosales steering Ameer Al Reef to a narrow victory ahead of the fast finishing Naseem Al Reef. The winner’s stable companion, Farooq, had led about 600m out until the final 50m before being denied second in the final strides.

“Again, I have to thank everybody at Al Reef Stables for these opportunities, and it is a privilege to ride for them,” said an elated Rosales.

Champion trainer and jockey pair of Ernst Oertel and Tadhg O’Shea saddled a 1-2 in the 1600m handicap. The winner Nemrah proved too good for stable companion Richly Blessed and denied jockey Sam Hitchcott a quick double. Hitchcott had earlier won the third race on Raheq.

“I was a bit disappointed when some of the horses that were expected to win didn’t run true to their potential, but then you can’t win all the time in horse racing,” Oertel said.

“The important thing is that we are back on the board and that’s some relief. Nemrah is a good filly winning her second race in two starts. Even the second horse ran a good race,” he said.

The opening 1400m maiden was won by Girl Powerr, ridden by Xavier Ziani. Girl Powerr was the first winner of the season for trainer Jameel Salman.

Young jockey Harry Bentley continued his fine show by making a mark on Safir Bainuna in a 1600 m conditions race — a second career winner for owner and trainer Ahmad Al Mehairbi.