By Suleiman Altaf -
In a dramatic turn of events leading up to the third and final leg of the Al Ain Marathon Series, Omani-trained Uday was lifted home late by apprentice Adam Al Balushi in a climax no short of a thriller.
Dubbed as Al Ain’s ‘Coronation’ meeting, the Al Ain Marathon was ready to welcome a new marathoner on the pedestal as defending champion Al Mahbooba missed the race despite being declared for it when originally scheduled two weeks ago which was later marred by torrential rains.
With Dennis O’Brien’s well-fancied Hakeem also withdrawn on race day, many felt second leg scorer Loolwa (Bernardo Pinheiro/Musabbeh Al Mheiri) had been handed a free pass, but it was not to be as the favourite folded tamely with more than a 1000m left to travel.
The two Abdallah Al Hammadi runners Ozone Layer (Tadgh O’Shea) and Oxford (Al Moatesem Al Balushi) were left in the front as a result with the latter extending clear in the home straight. Uday still had plenty to do but as the race entered its concluding stages, Al Balushi, who was recording his first ever winner in the Emirates, kept his mount focused and managed to reel down Oxford by a neck in a thrilling conclusion to a dramatic Marathon series this season.
This was the winner’s maiden victory following a string of starts on the turf at Abu Dhabi over 2200m.
AL AIN SPRINT GLORY CAPS AN EXCELLENT SEASON FOR JAP HADAD
The Prestige Al Ain Sprint was no short of a procession for Irfan Ellahi’s evergreen JAP Hadad who routed a decent opposition by four-and-a-lengths under regular rider Royston Ffrench to cap a fantastic campaign that saw him bag a total of four victories commencing with a modest handicap victory off the mark of 77 at Sharjah in December last year.
The eight-year-old has not looked back since, winning a 1200m handicap on the turf at Abu Dhabi subsequently and recently scoring over course and distance in mid-February.
The pace was obviously too quick for the winner as eventual runner-up and third placegetter Namrood (Jules Mobian/Al Mheiri) and Leena (Pinheiro/Al Jahoori), respectively, set fiery fractions in front but a swooping run on the near side in the final two furlongs or so, saw Ffrench’s mount go from near last to first in yet another strong display of acceleration from the veteran who is sure to cross the century mark in official ratings.
O’SHEA’S CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD EXTENDS
A straightforward five-and-a-half length victory for O’Shea aboard Ernst Oertel’s AF Thwarty in the 1600m filly and mare only maiden now sees him four clear of nearest challenger Connor Beasley in the Jockeys’ Championship table.
Following a couple of well-fought placings, the winner was not for catching as she made all after breaking alertly. Al Delhab (Richard Mullen/Qaiss Aboud) ran on into second late.
RAJIH DEMOLISHES RIVALS ON LOCAL DEBUT
With seven runners for YAS Racing in the 2000m maiden from the 11 declared to run, it was always going to be a case of which one from the septet. With previously proven horses like Zayd (Bernardo Pinheiro/Majed Al Jahoori) in the race, not many were expecting a 13-length demolition job at the hands of local debutant Rajih for trainer Eric Lemartinel and rider Jules Mobian. Unsuccessful in seven attempts when trained in France, the four-year-old colt showed his rivals a clean pair of heels with a dominant performance from the front. Ss Alahwas (Sam Hitchcott/Ibrahim Al Hadhrami) finished second just ahead of Zayd.
APPRENTICES RODRIGUES AND TIAR SCORE
It was not just the feature race that was scored by an apprentice, but apprentices enjoyed a fair bit of success elsewhere on the card too. The opening contest, a 2000m maiden, went the way of the Khalifa Al Neyadi-schooled Qaisar ridden by the up-and-coming Allaia Tiar. The lightly raced seven-year-old gelding made short work of his rivals as he scored by a mammoth 15 lengths with local debutant Da’ahi (Mobian/Lemartinel) left to chase daylight in second.
Then it was Marcelino Rodrigues’ turn who guided the Hamad Al Marar-schooled Es Lattam to victory in the 0-90 rated 2000m handicap. Making his first start since December, the winner looked none the worse as he scored by a comfortable length-and-three-quarters from Maador (Sandro Paiva/Helal Alalawi) in second to take his seasonal tally to two victories.
BEASLEY’S ABSENCE IS AL BALUSHI’S GAIN
With Connor Beasley, who enjoys first call aboard Al Hadhrami’s runners, booked for riding duties in the UK, Omani rider Saif Al Balushi picked up a winning ride aboard stable first string Pharitz Dubai in the 2000m 0-75 rated handicap. The winner was confidently ridden throughout but idled when hitting the front 200m out just managing to survive another rally from AF Alhazem (O’Shea/Oertel) by a head.
The Abu Dhabi Racing-owned Saif Almarar-trained Badraan Baynounah shed his maiden at the third time of asking in the 1000m maiden in game fashion under Paiva by a half length over Al Wathba Racing’s Barari Al Wathba (Pinheiro/Al Jahoori).
Trainer Qaiss Aboud enjoyed his third winner at Al Ain in as many meetings with JR Patriot outbattling a game AF Muhem in the 0-75 rated 1400m handicap to score by a half length under Mullen.
