Three-timer for Selvaratnam

Dubai: Trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam saddled three winners at the season opening meeting at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday, including two which were ridden by William Buick, the champion apprentice jockey in England.

Buick, who will ride as first jockey to resident Jebel Ali trainer Selvaratnam, rode 50 winners in England to share the title with his friend David Probert.

Born and raised in Norway, Buick opened his account in the UAE when he partnered Chun Tosaigh to win the 1200m maiden sponsored by Al Shafar Investment.

It was his first winner in seventh rides in the UAE.

Buick added his second success of the afternoon when Mannjal battled hard over the final furlongs to deny six-time UAE champion jockey Ted Durcan aboard the Mushabah Al Muhairi-trined Mogaamer.

The youngster was delighted to end his wait for a winner here and commented: "It is nice to ride a double at my first on our local track and for the yard to get three is great.

"Things have started well for me in the UAE."

The day's feature race, the 1,000 metre sprint sponsored by Derrinstown Stud, fell to Rashid Bouresly's talented speedball Star Crowned, who prevailed by three quarters of a length from Adi Selvaratnam's League Champion.

Star Crowned is likely to be aimed at the prestigious Hong Kong International Race meeting on December 13.

O'Shea was clearly impressed: "That was a good performance because he has definitely needed the outing. He is very quick though."