Al Ain: The penultimate Al Ain fixture the Al Ain Mile was won in style by Cakouet De Bozouls, confidently ridden by Silvestre de Sousa for Ahmad Al Mehairbi on Friday.

Having just his sixth local outing, the horse was winning for the first time since September 2016 and registering a maiden victory on dirt.

However, his previous local efforts do include finishing third to Paddy’s Day in the 1,600m Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 and second to the same rival over 1,400m in the Group 2 Mazrat Al Ruwayah, both races staged on dirt at Meydan.

Perhaps significantly, he was among the entries for Thursday’s 2,000m Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3, back at Meydan, but connections opted for this easier option with the Al Ain Mile only carrying Prestige status.

Stalking the pace, De Sousa nudged his mount to the lead at the top of the straight and they never looked in much danger of being caught.

The Kahayla Classic, on the Dubai World Cup card, could well be the horse’s next outing.

“I rode this horse at Meydan last time over 1,400m when he ran very well and I knew this extra 200m would suit him. His 1,600m form is very good so I was definitely hopeful he could win today. I think this is his best trip but, after that win, he should be invited for the Kahayla Classic and his stamina might last out,” said De Sousa.

When Mushairib and Tadhg O’Shea cruised into contention 600m from home in the 2,000m maiden they looked destined for a comfortable victory but AF Nafece, who had led from the outset, was reluctant to be passed. It was only about 300m out O’Shea managed to drive Mushairib, having his sixth career start but only second on dirt, to the front. He was immediately then challenged, and passed, by Safin Al Reef, only for O’Shea to coax a final effort from his mount who regained the initiative close home.

O’Shea, riding his 459th UAE winner and thus moving into a clear second in the all-time table, said, “It is great to reach such a milestone and especially in these colours which have contributed a lot of those winners. We thought the longer trip would suit this horse today and it has, but credit the horse he has had to win two battles to get that first career success.”

Mushairib is trained at Al Asayl by Eric Lemartinel and they completed a quick double with Bashayer in the following 1,600m handicap. However, O’Shea was not aboard on this occasion and it was actually a belated first winner of the season for Jose Santiago. Settled in midfield, the seven-year-old mare cruised to the front halfway up the straight and then never looked like being denied her fourth career victory.

“She is a very honest mare who always tries and definitely prefers the dirt to turf. She ran well at Sharjah last week but all her wins have been here at Al Ain, three over this 1600m which really suits her,” said Lemartinel.

A 1,400m handicap was dominated by horses trained by Helal Al Alawi with the pair combining to supply both the winner, Kandoosh, and second, Gafel. Both stalked the early leader, Wafi W’Rsan until he weakened quickly 600m out from which point the Al Alawi pair had the race between them.

Pat Cosgrave and Gafel tried hard but from 250m out it was clear Kandoosh had matters under control with Harry Bentley performing the steering. Al Alawi, who trains in Al Ain but not on the racecourse, said: “We thought they would both run well in what looked a good opportunity and, luckily we were right. That is win No. 27 for us this season and our best so far, bettering the 23 we enjoyed during the last campaign. That is our target, to progress numerically as well as in quality.”