Al Ain: Majed Al Jahouri-trained Hamares won the featured Al Saad Handicap as Al Ain Racecourse staged its first meeting of the new season on Friday afternoon.
A homebred by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Hamares appeared to hold little chance at halfway but his jockey, Royston Ffrench, is not one to concede defeat.
He asked him mount for his response and was rewarded with Hamares flashing home in the final 100m to lead close home and snatch an unlikely victory.
“He really picked up nicely when it mattered,” said Ffrench. “We know he stays further so hoped he would be staying on late and that is exactly what happened.”
The seven-race meeting with six races for Purebred Arabians opened with the Wathba Stud Farm Cup, a 1000m handicap with a prize fund of Dh70,000.
The Helal Al Alawi-trained RB Goliath under UAE Apprentice Saeed Al Mazroui scored a two-length victory over Saleem ridden by Dubai World Cup winning jockey Fernando Jara. Tm Ac-Dc was ridden to third place by Adrie De Vries.
Abdul Ghani Abdulla owns the 4-year-old son of Madjani and the US bred RB Goliath took .1:07:25 for the five-furlong sprint.
It was RB Goliath’s first win locally at the second attempt, and second in his fledgling race career. The winning jockey Saeed Al Mazrooei jockey said: “He did that quite nicely and the trainer was fairly hopeful coming into the race.”
“We are truly obliged to the HH Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival for its firm stand behind the small breeders and owners,” said a jubilant trainer Helal Al Alawi.
“After a one year layoff, I have decided to race him on turf last Sunday in Abu Dhabi though I was well aware that he is a dirt horse. That was the only open chance in front of him to stretch his legs and he has benefited from the run. Saeed Al Mazrooei gave him great ride and fortunately my horse was in good form. All factors of success have combined together tonight,” he added.
Taha Aljaffal, Maria Rita Antypas and Karl Sad presented the prizes and trophies to the winning trainer who has also received the trophy on behalf of the winning owner.
“Al Ain racecourse is very important as they stage a lot of Purebred Arabians races and we are delighted that our race opened the season’s meeting. The Wathba Stud Farm Cup for Private Owners is a very important race series for us in the UAE as it give ample opportunities to new connections of Purebred Arabian horses,” said Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the Shaikh Mansoor Festival.
