El Hurano stars at Jebel Ali

Trainer Doug Watson put some seasonal icing on the cake of an unbelievable season with a fabulous four-timer at the Jebel Ali Racecourse yesterday.

The Red Stables master was in cracking form as he reeled off wins with Murhib, Quicknap, Dulcet Spear and Mahroos none of whom were favourites on the Pick Six competition that attracted 6,190 nominations.

However, Watson was denied success in the meet's showpiece race the Shadwell Farm Jebel Ali Stakes (Listed) which went to the Satish Seemar-trained UAE newcomer El Hurano.

Watson's Burnt Ember was sent off a big favourite in the 1950 metre event but could finish no better than sixth of 15 runners in the Dh 350,000 race.

For Seemar, a three-time champion trainer in the UAE, it was his second success in the Jebel Ali Stakes, having saddled Resplendent Star to win the race in 2001.

"Don't write us off yet," warned Seemar after the triumph. "We might not be having a great season but we still have some very capable horses."

El Hurano proved more than capable as he rallied strongly for Irish jockey Ryan Moore to hold off Richard Mullen, aboard the Mazin Al Kurdi-trained Anani, by three quarters of a length in a tight two-horse finish.

Dubai Honor, who won this race last year, finished three quarters of a length back in third with long-time leader Alghani staying on well to take fourth place.

El Hurano became the first non-UAE owned winner of the Jebel Ali Stakes which was first run in 1993. The Argentine-bred colt is owned by Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Al Maddah.

"It is wonderful to win a race like this," said Al Maddah who plans to bring four more horses for the Dubai International Racing Carnival starting on January 20.

"We have no definite plans but he will go to the Carnival. We'll talk to the trainers, both Satish and Richard [Gibson] before we decide.

"But for the moment we want to enjoy this win. It means a lot to us to come here where the racing is top class and to win a big race at the first attempt. Hopefully, there will be more wins for us," Al Maddah added.

Earlier, Watson began his four-timer when Murhib, ridden by Ted Durcan, won the Al Shafar Group handicap for Purebred Arabians by a shorthead from favourite Muthaaber.

Australian rider Gaven Birrer supplied him with the second when partnering Quicknap to score for the second successive meet at Jebel Ali in the National Bank of Dubai handicap over 1200 metres.

Patrick Dobbs added the third with Dulcet Spear, a convincing two and-a-half length winner of the Al Shafar Investment handicap over 1800 metres, before Richard Mullen capped an unforgettable day for Watson when he landed the meet's concluding race the Commercial Bank of Dubai handicap over a mile.

With yesterday's four wins Watson took his tally for the season to 19, six clear of reigning champion trainer Mazin Al Kurdi who went winless.

- El Hurano became only the second horse from Saudi Arabia to win a Pattern race in the UAE after Petit Paris won the Al Bastikiya Stakes in March.

- Doug Watson used four different jockeys to secure his four-timer yesterday - Ted Durcan, Gaven Birrer, Pat Dobbs and Richard Mullen.

- Besides Watson, Satish Seemar was the only other successful trainer yesterday as he combined with Ryan Moore to win two races.