Abu Dhabi : After impressive displays in the junior level, Hamdan Mousa Mohammad Al Hammadi scored an emphatic victory in the 100-km Shaikh Zayed Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup Ride for Private Owners held at the Emirates International Endurance Village here yesterday.
Hamdan, rode a well-judged race to finish ahead of Ahmad Ali Amer Omar Al Hadrami on Rowallan Shanty after the two battled for the lead over the four-loop ride.
Ahmad led after the first stage of 32km and Hamdan was second at that stage. After the next stage of 28km, Ahmad kept the lead but Hamdan eased off a bit and was in fourth place giving his 10-year-old chestnut gelding some respite.
Penultimate stage
It was in the penultimate stage of 24km that Hamdan made his move and established a two-minute lead over Ahmad which proved decisive over the final loop of 16 kms.
Hamdan and Leo completed the 100km distance at an average speed of 26.18 kmph for a ride time of 3 hours 49 minutes and 11 seconds.
"This is my first win in the open class. Earlier I have won twice in the junior level winning the President's Cup in 2008 and 2009," said Hamdan.
"This was the first time I rode Leo and I just followed the tactics of my trainer Mattar Suhail Al Yabhouni," said Hamdan, who won the 2008 President's Cup with Nadja Lotois and the 2009 cup with Torryburn Cracker Jack.
"We at Al Ain Endurance Stables are delighted with this win and such rides for Private Owners have been a big boost for small stables," said Al Yabhouni.
Four stages
Yesterday's ride was run in four stages of 32km, 28km, 24km and 16 km. The ride carried a total purse of Dh500,000 including two cars and was sponsored by Bonyan International Investment Group LLC, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Al Medmar magazine and Al Wathba Stud Farm.
RESULTS
Hamdan Mousa Mohammad Al Hammadi (Leo) 3:49:11; Ahmad Ali Amer Omar Al Hadrami (Rowallan Shanty) 3:51.31; Rashid Saeed Al Kamda (M An Naque) 3:55.56; Aliya Ali Mohammad Al Marzouqi (Zaeem) 4:01.44
