By Duane Fonseca
Shadwell owner Sheikh Hissa bint Hamdan Al Maktoum was present at Jebel Ali Saturday afternoon and picked up the prize for the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile herself after Doug Watson’s Fanaar proved way too good for the rest of his 11 rivals in the hands of Shadwell’s retained rider Dane O’Neill.
The 7yo Dark Angel gelding picked up a third success in five starts this term, rebounding well from his second in the Prep event in January when beaten by three and a quarter lengths by Down On Da Bayou.
Bin Ghadayer’s 2020 UAE Oaks winner was very much part of the field, but she might as well have not been there as Fanaar powered to the front gradually in the straight after being raced mid-division to a pace set by Rashed Bouresly’s Lord Tennyson.
Watson’s second Jebel Ali Mile title was secured after Fanaar hit the front 200m out with a kick that saw him comfortably finish two and a quarter clear of Bhupat Seemar’s 2021 winner Secret Ambition.
A further head back in third was Canvassed, also trained by Watson, the ride of Pat Dobbs.
The next big event on the card was the Jebel Ali Sprint Prep Trophy a 1000m Conditions runs that saw Ahmad bin Harmash’s Story of Light throw down his challenge half-way through and chart his way to the front to win by a length and a quarter from Bin Ghadayer’s Royal Commando the ride of Mickael Barzalona. A further three fourths back was Upper Class for Julio Olascoaga and Jose da Silva.
Rashed Bouresly’s winning momentum carried forward to Jebel Ali as well with Master Sergeant, an easy victor of the opening 1400m handicap under Oscar Chavez, who rode Miqyaas to victory for the Ras Al Khaimah based trainer in the Group 2 Blue Point Sprint, the feature event on the Meydan card the night before. Master Sergeant was three and a quarter clear at the post from Musabbeh Al Mheiri’s Sikorsky, the ride of Antonio Fresu.
Jebel Ali patron Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s retained trainer and rider Michael Costa and Jean van Overmeire enjoyed quick doubles thereafter. First, Mawthog ran in four and a half clear of teammate and stable companion Keffaaf the ride of O’Neill in the 1200m maiden for a 1-2 for the Australian conditioner, then Bilhayl powered home to win the Emirates NBD 1000m handicap by three lengths from Seemar’s Rayig, the ride of Fresu.
Bin Ghadayer was rewarded in the card closing District 14 Cup 1600m handicap which Mickael Barzalona won aboard Tolmount, a half length winner ahead of Watson’s Mount Kosciuszko.
