Abu Dhabi: Trainers Eric Lemartinel and newcomer Philippe Barbe kick started the capital's racing season with a double each at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club here Sunday.
Lemartinel enjoyed an edge over Barbe's debut double as he won the feature race of the opening day — the Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup — a Prestige race that brought the curtain coming down on the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Racing Festival.
The Lemartinel-trained Shadiyda, defied a four kilos weight to score a smart win over the fancied Kandar Du Falgas under Gerald Avranche, the French jockey also registering a double.
Lemartinel and Avranche had earlier combined to score in the Wathba Cup, a handicap race for private owners when Mooser proved another comfortable winner, finishing ahead of the Gillian Duffield-trained AF Mursid.
After receiving the Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup race's trainer's trophy from Shaikh Mohammad Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Lemartinel paid credit to his winning horse Shadiyda. "I was only worried a bit about the extra weight but otherwise he is in good condition. He won well and now the next race could be the National Day Cup [Group 1] in four weeks time," Lemartinel said.
Earlier Barbe, another French trainer who was in Oman last season and crossed over to the Al Asayl Stables in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, started off on a perfect note, winning the opening two races.
Burkhan Al Asayl, a three-year-old colt proved too strong for his nine other rivals, all making their debut in the opening race for UAE-bred colts and geldings. Though Zamhareer Al Reef made a strong run late in the race, Burkhan Al Asayl held on to win under David Badel. Badel then helped Barbe complete a double when in the very next race, a three-year-old filly from Al Asayl Stables opened her career with a win. Noor Einy scored with over six lengths to spare from Athena and Barne started his sting as a trainer in the UAE on a perfect note.
Emirati trainer Musabbah Al Muhairi won the once race for thoroughbreds when Dr Smart under Wayne Smith scored in the Al Manhal Handicap.
