Abu Dhabi: If you are spoilt for choice, then even the best can falter, but not Paul Hanagan.
The retained jockey of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, has to be credited for picking the right horse from the eight for the featured 1,600 Thoroughbred handicap at the Abu Dhabi Race Course on Sunday.
Hanagan went for the Doug Watson-trained Jawhar and it did not disappoint as the first four places belonged to the same owner.
Finishing second was Sam Hitchcott on Mujrayaat, while Funon ridden by Wayne Smith, came third.
“This ride in the last was worth the trip. It was a nice gallop that he needed. It was tough for me to choose from the eight. He came out very quickly and that was pretty nice for me,” said an elated Hanagan.
Meanwhile, Ernst Oertel tightened his grip on the UAE trainers’ championship trophy by widening his lead over challenger Musabah Al Muhairi.
Oertel went four points clear after registering two more victories, taking his win tally to 36.
“We don’t worry about the championship, but just are happy to saddle the winners,” said the South African, adding: “The championship is at the end of the season and, right now, we have seven more meetings, including the Dubai World Cup, to look ahead for and prepare the horses.”
Champion jockey Tadhg O’Shea on RB Dixie Burning, who had made a winning debut in Al Ain, provided Oertel with his first winner in the 1600m fillies and mares’ conditions race.
Patrick Cosgrave added to Oertel’s winning tally by leading Hab Nessnas home in the next race.
However, the man who stole the show and got the crowd on their feet was trainer Mohammad Ramadan, who just couldn’t hide his emotions after seeing Royston Ffrench lead Ubu Al Mels to a comfortable victory in the second race of the day.
This was Ramadan’s first victory in 69 attempts this season and he celebrated as if he had won the Derby.
He ended up giving jockey Ffrench a victory ride on his shoulders and let out a roar and produced a fist pump towards Oertel as the latter passed by.
The opening race of the evening, a 1600m maiden, was won by AF Masharef ridden by Gerald Avranche for trainer Eric Lemartinel. “She ran very well last time when she finished second and today won in good style. She can hopefully progress from here as she has improved with experience,” said Avranche.
