Abu Dhabi: Loud cheers greeted champion Purebred Arabian Mizzna at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian club on Sunday at the seven-year-old daughter of the legendary Alanudd sealed a 1-2 finish for trainer Eric Lemartinel in the National Day Cup prep.
Mizzna was making her reappearance after a year-long absence due to injury but showed no signs of rustiness as she cruised to a length and a half victory over stable companion Shadiyda.
A chipped bone had denied the great mare a chance of defending her crown in this year's Kahayla Classic on Dubai World Cup night but yesterday, under jockey Gerald Avranche, she claimed her seventh successive win.
Mizzna raced four lengths off the pace, but appeared to be caught in traffic when heading for home. But once Avranche found the gap she produced her famed acceleration to win from Shadiyda ridden by Tadhg O'Shea.
Mizzna also helped Lemartinel and Avranche, who had teamed up to win the preceding race with Rachidia, a meet double.
Commenting on Mizzna's winning return, Lemartinel said: "I am happy with the 1-2. Mizzna was ready to run but she is not one- hundred percent fit.
"She will improve after this run and will be ready for the National Day Cup in three weeks time. Shadiyda will also run in that race," the Frenchman added
Earlier in the evening, trainer Saifaldin Deeb registered his fourth win of the season with Gabas Noor while Rod Simpson struck with Shoof Elajab and Elmalek Elwaheed.
Simpson commented: "I have had some problems with him [Gabas Noor] but he has gone forward to win, so it is okay."
Results
1. Al Bateen Conditions, UAE-bred, PA, Dh 35,000, 7F:
1. Gabas Noor (Saifaldin Deeb) Royston Ffrench; 2. Ameer Al Sraya (Saifaldin Deeb) Tadhg O'Shea; 3. Million (Jaber Bittar) David Badel.
Time:1:35.52; Distances: 1.25L, 3L, 9L
2. The Corniche Handicap, PA, 00-60, Dh 65,000, 7F:
1. Rafed (Eric Lemartinel) Gerald Avranche; 2. Sharudy (F. Nizamuddin) Tadhg O'Shea; 3. Rachidia (Saifaldin Deeb) David Badel.
Time: 1:32.40; Distances: 0.50L, 2.75L, 1.25L
3. National Day Cup Preparation, PA, Conditions, Dh 70,000, 8F:
1. Mizzna (Eric Lamartinel) Gerald Avranche; 2. Shadiyda (Eric Lemartinel) Tadhg O'Shea;
3. Palapal (Ali Rashid Al Raihe) Royston Ffrench.
Time:1:43.89; Distances: 1.50L, 4.75L, 1.75L
4. Al Hosn Maiden, UAE-bred, PA, Dh 35,000, 8F:
1. Shoof Elajab (Rod Simpson) daragh O'Donohoe; 2. Jahlaf (Ahmad Al Shamsi) Matthew Henry; 3. Ektimaal (Gillian Duffield) Tadhg O'Shea.
Time: 1:48.42; Distance: 0.75L, 2.25L, 4.75L
5. The Yas Island Handicap, PA, 00-80, Dh 75,000, 11F:
1. Elmalak Elwaheed (Rod Simpson) Richard Mullen; 2. Wadya (Eric Lemartinel) Gerald Avranche; 3. CS Patriarch (F. Nizamuddin) Matthew Henry.
Time: 2:31.48; Distances: 4.75L, 4.75L, 6L
6. National Day Cup Prep, TB, Handicap 85+, Dh 70,000, 8F:
1. Fathayer (Ali Rashid Al Raihe) Royston Ffrench; 2. Eddie Jock (Satish Seemar) Richard Mullen; 3. Hallhoo (Dhruba Selvaratnam) Daragh O'Donohoe
Time: 1:35.75 Distances: 1.50L, 1.50L, Neck.
