Abu Dhabi: Gillian Duffield sent home four winners including AF Mahab Alshamal who fetched the feature event of the night was jockey Ted Durcan joined in to score a double here at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race course.
Duffield, last season's top Purebred Arabian horse trainer and a winner of four races in Sharjah chose Abu Dhabi this time for her four-timer which seemed to more than make up for Madjani's defeat at this venue the previous Sunday in the His Highness The President's Cup.
Durcan and Duffield opened their account for the night in the second race when AF Qa'ed lived up to his favourite status. Earlier Duffield narrowly lost the opening race when Saifaldin Deeb's Ahel beat Sharaka by a nose.
However in the feature event, Duffield and Durcan were back to complete their double when AF Mahab Alshamal scored over favourite RS Hayfa with a searing run in the final furlong.
Duffield followed her win in the fourth race with two more in the fifth and sixth to finish off in style. Martin Dwyer on Nesnaas won the 11-furlong handicap and then Richard Hills completed Duffield's day of domination with Hayajaan pulling off a smart win over Dafagg in the final race.
"I am delighted. Delighted more to win the Emirates Fillies Classic for Khalid Khalifa Al Naboudah (owner and breeder of AF Mahab Alshamal) who has been a great supporter of Purebred Arabians," said Duffield.
AF Qa'ed is also bred and owned by Al Naboodah. When asked whether the four-timer made up for Madjani's loss last week, Duffield said, "Well I don't like to see Madjani beaten. But he has come out well from that loss. However I am happy and the whole team has been working hard."
Duffield said the cheek-pieces seemed to have helped Hayajaan who won after a couple of unimpressive runs. "He has gained weight and the cheek-pieces have helped him concentrate."
Hydra Gold Cup, Purebred Arabians, Handicap 00-55, Dh 40,000, 7F:
- Ahel (Saifaldin Deeb) Keagan Latham;
- Sharakka (Gillian Duffield) Richard Hills;
- Kernour De Ducor (Jaber Bittar) J.Rosales.
- Time: 1:32.78; Distance: Nose, 0.50L, 1.75L
Hydra ADSC Silver Trophy, Purebred Arabians, UAE-bred Maiden, Dh 30,000, 8F:
- AF Qa'ed (Gillian Duffield) Ted Durcan;
- Dareb (Mohammad Ramadan) Ahmad Ajtebi;
- Cashmere (Mohammad Ramadan) H. Ramlugaan.
- Time: 1:48.66; Distance: 0.75L, 7.50L, 4L
Hydra ADSC Diamond, Purebred Arabians, Fillies & Mares Maiden, Dh 30,000, 8F:
- Outta Limit (Musabah Al Muhairi) Wayne Smith;
- Bashara (Eric Lemartinel) Tadhg O'Shea;
- Heart Beat (James Frazier Jr.) Gaven Birer;
- Time: 1:50.33; Distance: 0.75L, Nose,1.75L
Hydra ADSC Emirates Fillies Classic, Purebred Arabians, UAE-bred, Prestige, Dh 100,000, 8F:
- AF Mahab Alshamal (Gillian Duffield) Ted Durcan;
- RS Hayfa (Jaber Bittar) J.Rosales;
- Early Morning (James Frazier Jr.) Keagan Latham;
- Time: 1:50.81; Distance: 0.75L, 3.35L, 0.50L
Hydra ADSC Platinum, Purebred Arabians, Restricted Handicap, 00-75, Dh 45,000, 11F:
- Nesnaas (Gillian Duffield) Martin Dwyer;
- Dafagg (Eric Lemartinel) Tadhg O'Shea;
- AS Shahab (Gillian Duffield) Ted Durcan
- Time: 2:32.29 Distance: 1L, 8.25L, 11L
Hydra ADSC Challenge, Purebred Arabians, Conditions, Dh 35,000, 8F:
- Hayajaan (Gillian Duffield) Richard Hills;
- Djoubai De Leyre (Mohammad Ramadan) Ahmad Ajtebi;
- Palapal (Ali Rashid Al Rahie) Royston Ffrench.
- Time: 1:47.61. Distance:2.25L, 0.50L, 4.75L.