Dubai: Genuine Dubai World Cup Carnival clues were on offer at Jebel Ali Racecourse’s second meeting of the season where champion owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance. dominated proceedings with a quartet of wins.
Ostaad, Mashaaref, Mushaakis and Nawwaar, all products of Shaikh Hamdan’s prolific breeding operation at Shadwell, won consecutive races to emerge as potential Carnival hopes.
Mushaakis, a five-year-old son of Shamardal, particularly caught the eye when bolting clear of his eight rivals to cross the finish line 6 1/2 lengths in front of Sahra Al Dhadra, who also raced in the opener’s colours.
All Dane O’Neill, Shaikh Hamdan’s retained rider, had to do was to keep his horse on course as Mushaakis made ever step of the 1400 metre trip count.
O’Neill, who recorded the biggest win of his career earlier this year when partnering Cartier sprint champion Muhaarar to an iconic victory in the inaugural running of the Commonwealth Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot in June, was also in the irons when Mashaaref took home the feature race of the afternoon, the Shadwell (Conditions Race) also over seven furlongs.
The winner tracked the leader, Need To Know until he took over the running at the 300 metre mark, and ran on well to comfortably hold the South African-bred seven-year-old who is a three-time winner at Jebel Ali.
“When he shines on the day he’s got quite a bit of a chance,” said O’Neill. “He travelled well and I was getting a good lead, which may have come to me a bit sooner than I wanted it to, but I didn’t want to disappoint him.
“He could have won a shade more cosy.
“He’s a horse I’ve never really had a lot of luck with he either run well or lets me down the next start. He’s a horse with some very good bits of form and he runs well fresh.”
Former Carnival scorer, Ostaad, had the honour of launching Shaikh Hamdan’s quarter of wins, when he comfortably won the Al Shafar Investment handicap, under a confident ride by Pat Dobbs.
Settled at the back of the seven-horse field Dobbs asked his mount for his effort approaching the final furlong, which was spontaneous, as Ostaad hit the front and easily held his rivals.
“They went slow for the first three furlongs I didn’t want to get there too soon,” said Dobbs. “But he’s a funny horse he’s definitely better than he was last year. “He’s a lot more settled at the start, he jumps better and makes life easy for the jockey. He’s also very versatile and likes the turf as well so there are plenty of options for him.”
Doug Watson, who prepared the five-year-old son of Marju at his Red Stables base just off Shaikh Zayed Road, agreed with his retained jockey.
“Pat gets on really well with him and he did that well,’ said the American. “We had to run him back here because there is not another race for him for six weeks.
“He’ll probably go to the turf at Meydan and run some races there. He’s very effective on the turf as well.
“He’s a bit of a character. He was gelded over the summer and I think that’s helped him a bunch.
“His race on the turf last year (Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group Trophy, Meydan, January 31) really impressed me. So hopefully we can find a couple of races there on the turf which will help get him up close to Carnival level.”
Results
Race 1. HH Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum UAE Breeders Society Challenge Sponsored By E-Sports (PA — Maiden) 1200m Dirt:
1. Ab Jalad (H Al Alawi) R Ffrench; 2. Al Hadaf; 3. Ibn Harmany Al Zobair; 4. Bareez W’Rsan.
Distances: 1 length, 1.5, 9. Time: 01:23.67 secs.
Race 2. Al Shafar Investment (TB Handicap) 1800m Dirt:
1. Ostaad (D Watson) P Dobbs; 2. Sefri; Izaaj; 4. Layali Al Andalus.
Distances: 1.25 length, 1.25, 0.75. Time: 01:52.84 secs.
Race 3. Shadwell (TB Rated Conditions) 1400m Dirt:
1. Mashaaref (M Al Muhairi) D O’Neill; 2. Need To Known; 3. Shamaal Nibras; 4. Moonlight Dash.
Distances: 1.25 length, 4.25, 1. Time: 01:25.23 secs.
Race 4. Arabian Scandinavian Insurance Co. (TB Handicap) 1400m Dirt:
1. Mushaakis (A Al Raihe) D O’Neill; 2/ Sahra Al Dhadra; 3. Firstknight; 4. Lanadam.
Distances: 6.25 length, 1.5, Short Head. Time: 01:24.93 secs.
Race 5. Shadwell Farm (TB Handicap) 1200m Dirt:
1. Nawwaar (A Al Raihe) D O’Neill; 2. Fityaan; 3. Sholaan; 4. Kilt Rock.
Distances: 3 length, 5.25, 2.25. Time: 01:10.50 secs.
Race 6. Commercial Bank of Dubai (TB Maiden) 1200m Dirt:
1. Hammurabi (S Seemar) R Mullen; 2. Tadarrok; 3. Mandillionl 4. Minor’s Cup.
Distances: 1.25 length, 7.5, 1.25. Time:) 1:12.53 secs.
