Success for Hamdan at Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials

Dubai: The Williams Haggas-trained Heeraat appears to be shaping into a promising sprinter after making all to win the £20,000 (Dh112,000) Dubai Duty Free Handicap on the opening day of Newbury’s popular Dubai Duty Free spring trials meeting which benefitted from an enjoyable Royal touch.

The impressive two-length winner during an entertaining afternoon’s racing was welcomed back into the winner’s enclosure by his owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, who also graciously received the winner’s trophy.

Heeraat was ridden by Shaikh Hamdan’s retained rider Paul Hanagan, who unfortunately picked up a two-day ban for careless riding on Rufoof in the opening event.

Meanwhile, Her Majesty the Queen was present at Newbury to see her Royal colours were carried to victory by Sign Manual in the Dreweatts 1759 Handicap.

Ridden by Hayley Turner, was flashed smiles as she joined The Queen on the winner’s podium, Sign Manuel got up in the last stride to deny Lieutenant Miller ridden by Tom Queally.

The Dubai Duty Free team headed by Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman, Salah Tahlak, Senior Vice President-Corporate Communications and Sinead El Sibai, Vice President-Marketing were present at Newbury and distributed the prizes of the four races that Dubai Duty Free sponsored, to the winners.

One of the eye-catching performances of the afternoon was delivered by Baltic Knight who win a thrilling renewal of the Dubai Duty Free Full of Surprises Handicap.

Ridden by Richard Hughes, the winner prevailed by a neck from the David Probert-ridden Here Comes When and could make his next appearance in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot in June.

“The Dubai Duty Free Handicap was the plan for today since last November,” said James Stafford, supremo of winning owners Thurloe Thoroughbreds who also raced the colt’s sire Baltic King who won the Workingham Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Ryan Moore, who was in double-winning form, followed up his success in the opening Maiden Fillies’ Stakes aboard Pavlosk by taking the £14,000 Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup EBF Conditions Stakes with Contributor.

Winning trainer Ed Dunlop said he would have to consider a Derby trial for the colt by High Chaparral who has won two races on the bounce.

“It’s not very nice ground out there, but he has handled it very well,” said the handler.

“He’s not in any Derby, as he was a breeze-up horse, but he is in the Dante.

“If he comes out of this all right he could go for the Sandown Classic Trial next week.”