Proud Irishman sprints to glory

The ever resilient Proud Irishman, a veteran of numerous sprint battles over the years, announced himself as a strong contender for sprint honours in the new season after dominating a small but select field at Jebel Ali's opening meeting yesterday.

The seven-year-old produced a powerful display to relegate another seasoned campaigner Mutamayyaz to second and last season's sprint champion Conroy to fourth to bring up a winning double for trainer Allan Smith, who relocated to Jebel Ali during the Summer.

There is no doubt that Conroy will improve for the run however Proud Irishman was impressive in this performance and also brought up a winning double for Smith's new stable jockey Gary Hind.

Earlier in the programme the pair combined to score with Morshid in the Maiden, that horse opening their accounts for the new season.

Conroy's defeat will not be overly disappointing to trainer Aditiyan Selvaratnam and owner Mohammed Al Jamali as there is no doubt he will get better and a campaign aimed at the Group I Dubai Golden Shaheen has no doubt been pencilled in for 2002/2003.

Selvaratnam and Al Jamali combined for success half an hour prior to Conroy when Aquitania broke through for his first win in the Emirates winning the 50-80 rated handicap.

Erwan Charpy's defence of his Championship crown continued with Marciale's victory in the 75-100 rated handicap.

Marciale had shown good form two seasons back but was a little disappointing in 2001/2002 however his first-up victory last Friday suggests that he will now head into the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes on December 27.

This was a good performance by Marciale as two former winners of the Jebel Ali Stakes were behind him, 2000 winner Pentagonal was fifth and Resplendent Star, successful in 2001, disappointed when finishing last of the six runners, over 18 lengths from the winner.

Results:
Race One. Purebred Arabians. 1,600m. 4YOs and Up 85-105.
Prizemoney: Dh 105,000.
1. ISKA AL MELS trained by K McLaughlin ridden by R Hills; 2. MUSHAAGIB S Seemar R Moore; 3. DANIDOR E Charpy T Durcan
Dist: 6.5len, 6len. Time: 1:51.30.

Race Two. Thoroughbreds. 1,200m. NH and SH 3YOs and Up Maiden.
Prizemoney: Dh 55,000.
1. MORSHID A Smith G Hind; 2. EARLY ASSAULT P Brette T Durcan; 3. DOC BROOK A Smith P Smith
Dist: Hd, 3.25len. Time: 1:13.48.

Race Three. Thoroughbreds. 1,000m. NH and SH 3YOs and Up 50-80. Prizemoney: Dh 75,000.
1. AQUITANIA A Selvaratnam N Cordrey; 2. FLOWER STATE E Charpy A McGlone; 3. MR SENA S Seemar W Smith.
Dist: 3.5len, 2.75len. Time: 1:00.01.
Race Four. Thoroughbreds. 1,000m. NH 3YOs and SH 4YOs and Up Conds.
Prizemoney: Dh125,000.
1. PROUD IRISHMAN A Smith G Hind; 2. MUTAMAYYAZ P Rudkin R Hills; 3. SHAARD E Charpy W Ryan.
Dist: 4len, 0.5len. Time: 59.13.

Race Five. Thoroughbreds. 1,950m. NH and SH 3YOs and Up 75-100.

Prizemoney: Dh 105,000.
1. MARCIALE E Charpy C Tellier; 2. TIMAHS A Smith G Hind; 3. NADEEM K McLaughlin A McGlone
Dist: 0.5len, 0.5len. Time: 2:01.49.

Race Six. Thoroughbreds. 1,600m. NH and SH 3YOs and Up 60-90.
Prizemoney: Dhs85,000.
1. NOBELIST M Al Kurdi S Hamel; 2. SURAAJ M Al Kurdi W Smith; 3. YAJREE A Smith G Hind.
Dist: 1.75len, 1.25len. Time:1:38.82.