Thursday’s fascinating six race card on the Abu Dhabi turf was highlighted by the 1200m Group 3 Al Ruwais which was contested by just seven runners but six of them remained in contention entering the final 350m before Antonio Fresu and Namrood delivered the decisive burst to settle matters with just over 50m remaining.
Saddled by Musabbeh Al Mheiri for Ahmad Bintooq Al Marri, the 6yo gelding was doubling his career tally in the process while scoring for the first time on turf, his previous success registered on the dirt, over 1600m, at Meydan just over a year ago. That was actually his local debut after six outings in his native France.
Fresu said: “He has always shown ability and the 1200m on turf has really suited him. He travelled well and then quickened so it was a very good performance in a tough race.”
The main support race, for 4yos over 1600m, the Listed Arabian Triple Crown R1, was dominated by Helal Alalawi and National Stables who were responsible for the first two home, RB Kingmaker scoring comfortably under Fresu, the pair chased home by stable companion Sincerely.
Making his turf debut, was a case of third time lucky for the colt, third on debut and runner-up on his second appearance so now boasting form figures of 321.
The main support race, for 4yos over 1600m, the Listed Arabian Triple Crown R1, was dominated by Helal Alalawi and National Stables who were responsible for the first two home, Antonio Fresu and RB Kingmaker scoring comfortably under Antonio Fresu, the pair chased home by stable companion Sincerely.
Making his turf debut, was a case of third time lucky for the colt, third on debut and runner-up on his second appearance so now boasting form figures of 321.
Fresu said: “He had run well twice on dirt but you never know when they switch surface. He will improve again because he was very green when we hit the front and will have learned plenty.
A Prestige contest for horses foaled locally, also over 1600m, the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Gold Cup went to AF Maqam, Tadhg O’Shea in the saddle for his main employer, Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda and the owner’s principal trainer Ernst Oertel.
A homebred 5yo entire, he was winning for the fourth time, after nine outings and always looked in control after hitting the front early in the straight.
Oertel said: “He is a very nice horse and one we have always really liked.”
O’Shea completed a double in the only Thoroughbred race on the card, the concluding 1400m maiden, combining with Bhupat Seemar and John Walter Moraes, Lake Causeway delivering the goods.
For horses in private ownership, the opening 2200m handicap was won stylishly by AF Kayed, previously a maiden after 13 starts, produced to lead in the final 75m by apprentice Connor Planas for Helal Alalawi and the first winner to sport the colours of Abdulla Mohammed Darwish Abdalatif Alkhoori. It was the owner’s tenth runner.
A 1600m maiden was turned into a procession by RB Stryngs Attached, runner-up on his sole previous start when a slow start cost him dearly but making no such mistake this time, probably never headed under Adrie de Vries for Fawzi Nass who also owns the 4yo colt in partnership with Victorious. He is a full-brother to the same connections’ RB Rich Lyke Me, a Group One winner at Meydan last year.
