Double strike by 'Terminator' Ajtebi

Dubai : Just a week ago, Ahmad Ajtebi was hospitalised with injuries to his neck and back after he fell off his mount on Meydan's opening race night. Three days ago he made a speedy recovery and promised to make a winning come-back in the Dubai International Racing Carnival.

On Thursday night, the UAE ace did just that, exhibiting superb riding skills to first win a tactical race astride Allybar to outdo the fancied Presvis. He followed this up with a searing finish on Anmar to complete a double for himself, trainer Saeed Bin Surour and the all-conquering Godolphin Stables.


 
Speaking to Gulf News yesterday, Ajtebi said: "It has been a great night and I am happy to have got my first winners at Meydan.

"These wins are very important for I have missed most of the UAE season and the fall on January 28 added to that. Though I resumed riding on Thursday I am sure most of the trainers and owners would have been worried whether I was fully fit.

"But these two wins will perhaps put to rest all those doubters and I can now concentrate on riding more winners," Ajtebi, who created history when he won two races on Dubai World Cup night last year, added.

Bin Surour said, "I was very happy with Allybar's performance tonight." He praised Ajtebi for the win. "Ahmad had the horse in a good position early in the race and when he asked him to quicken the horse did it really well."

Ajtebi, who has been nicknamed ‘Terminator' by trainer Eoin Harty, said, "I am glad I recovered quickly from that fall. It could have so easily have gone horribly wrong. Thanks to God I am back to my game."

Apart from Ajtebi's double in partnership with Bin Surour, there were many other UAE-based trainers who hogged the limelight in the Al Tayer Motors-sponsored race meeting.

Doug Watson picked up a double with Tadhg O'Shea winning on Force Freeze and Willie Supple making no mistake with a superb ride on Barbecue Eddie to help the reigning UAE champion trainer open his Carnival account.

Friday's feature event, the Cape Verdi Group 3 race for fillies and mares, was won by the Marco Botti-trained Soneva. Christophe Soumillon helped Soneva stave off the challenge from Saeed Bin Surour's Aspectoflove under Frankie Dettori.

Saudi Arabia-based Jerry Barton's So Shiny beat Indian entry Oasis Star in the opening race while UAE-based trainers Mosabah Al Muhairi and Dhruba Selvaratnam scored with Snaafy and Kal Barg.