REVIEW / ABU DHABI adiyat racing plus.com 32 ADIYAT RACING PLUS ISSUE 838 Thursday 21 st March 2024 By Sam Turner The industrious Heros De Lagarde showcased his trademark turn of foot to secure Group 1 glory at Abu Dhabi with a stylish victory in the Emirates Championship. Ridden with patience and confidence by regular partner and title aspirant Connor Beasley, the talented grey had finished an eye-catching second to Al Laith at Meydan on his previous start in Group 2 company just a week ago. However, he stepped up in style at the Capital venue, moving sweetly throughout much of the 2200m feature before putting the race to bed when given the office by his rider. Bahwan kept on gamely to take the runners-up berth a length adrift for rider Saif Al Balushi and trainer Saeed Al Shamsi, while Ajrad Athbah was third (Bernardo Pinheiro/Majed Al Jahoori). “He travelled around there lovely, and the only slight concern was the step back up in trip,” said Beasley. “However, I had a lovely run up the rail which probably saved me a few lengths and won me the race to be honest. “We had a nice clean run through, and I could put his turn of foot to good use. He was obviously backing up quickly enough after his run at Meydan, but he was impressive again today and has had a really good season. “It’s all systems go for the Dubai World Cup meeting now and we’ll keep our head down and keep kicking until then.” CHAVEZ CAPITALISES ON BESTEVAH ANTICS There was drama in the opening race when RB Bestevah shifted violently left when hitting the front under Adrie De Vries, hampering and unseating Charlie Bennett from Al Barq to hand victory to the Oscar Chavez-ridden HM Jazi for trainer Ahmed Al Mehairbi. Panamanian rider Chavez can do little wrong at present, and he was certainly the chief beneficiary with Al Barq taken out of the race and the wayward RB Bestevah hanging his chance away; his mount prevailing by a length with Munir (Bernardo Pinheiro/Majed Al Jahoori) back in third, three-quarters of a length in arrears. Thankfully, Bennett was unharmed by the incident and gained a measure of compensation in race four, when booting Unlimited to a tenacious success in the 0-85 mares and fillies handicap for trainer Jaber Bittar. Benett’s partner found plenty off the bridle to see off Shurooq Al Wathba who was another on the card to run well for the jockey/trainer combination of Bernardo Pinheiro and Majed Al Jahoori. “I thought I had a couple of good chances today, but obviously things didn’t quite go to plan in the first race!” quipped Heros De Lagarde HEROIC HEROS SECURES EMIRATES CHAMPIONSHIP WE HAD A NICE CLEAN RUN THROUGH, AND I COULD PUT HIS TURN OF FOOT TO GOOD USE . IT’S ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR THE DUBAI WORLD CUP MEETING NOW AND WE’LL KEEP OUR HEAD DOWN AND KEEP KICKING UNTIL THEN — CONNOR BEASLEY.
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