Young Irishman Ronan Whelan, partnered his first local winner, on just his tenth mount, when producing Tafaakhor to lead in the final strides for Ali Rashid Al Rayhi at Grandstand Stables and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Spring Offensive, who looked to have the race in safe keeping 75m out, was thwarted into defeat in the process.

The best of the Purebred Arabian action was also a 1600m handicap and it produced a thrilling finish with Fabrice Veron and Bainoona devouring the ground in the final 300 to snare AF Maher, who had led from the outset under Tadhg O’Shea, in the closing stages.

Trained by Eric Lemartinel for his main patron, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the 5-year-old mare was registering her fifth career victory and third over course and distance. 

Turning for home in the opening 2200m maiden, at least ten runners still appeared to hold realistic claims before Kaseb and Pierantonio Convertino shot clear with what initially appeared a race-winning move. However, in behind, Bernardo Pinheiro and AF Al Montagem, who had always been just behind the early pace set by Seafe, were making relentless progress and grabbed the initiative with 150m to run, powering away to win easily for Ernst Oertel and his main patron, Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda.

A second 1600m Purebred Arabian handicap, this one restricted to fillies and mares, was dominated by Al Nabooda and Oertel who supplied first and second in a race few of the 16 runners were ever able to land a blow. Having tracked the early leader, Al Jawaher, throughout the first half of the race, AF Makerah hit the front under Antonio Fresu with the majority of the opposition beaten before they even entered the straight.

A delighted Oertel, having watched AF Motaghatres, a 1400m Abu Dhabi maiden winner in January, score for a second time, on his tenth start, said: “It has been a great evening and we knew we had some good chances. Mr. Al Nabooda is a pleasure to train for and has some very nice horses, which I am lucky enough to have in my care.”

Jesus Rosales and Shawall made a gallant attempt to make all in the 1200m maiden, the pair pestered throughout the duration of the straight by JAP Al Afreet who, finally, managed to get his head in front inside the final 100m for Brett Doyle, only to be mugged close home by the fast finishing Daber W’Rsan.

A first winner of the season for Jaci Wickham, the 4-year-old debutant was nearer last than first entering the relatively short Abu Dhabi straight but, once he understood what was required of him by Connor Beasley, made relentless progress throughout the final 300m to snatch a dramatic victory. It was also a maiden success of the campaign for his owner, Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who also bred him.

Credit: HKJC