ABU DHABI // Abdullah Al Hammadi’s first treble under three different jockeys was the highlight of the race meeting in Abu Dhabi on Sunday night.
The UAE champion jockey Richard Mullen steered Saklawi Al Reef to take the opener, Fernando Jara rode Nawarat Al Reef to victory in the third, and Jamila Al Reef under Jesus Al Reef won the final race on the card to complete the Al Reef trainer’s three-timer.
“It was a good day for the whole team,” said the Emirati. “I don’t have a stable jockey but whoever rode the winners did a great job. It was one of those special race days for me.”
Eric Lemartinel, meanwhile, made some progress on the UAE trainer’s leaderboard behind Doug Watson (19) and Ali Rashid Al Raihe (15) by saddling a winner last night, adding to his treble at Al Ain on the previous night.
Sheikh Down under Gerald Avranche provided the Al Asayl Stable trainer with winner No 13.
The Frenchman, on the six-year-old chestnut son of Calin du Loup, edged out the stable companion Nashmee ridden by Tadhg O’Shea by a short head in the second race, a handicap rated 0-70 run over 1,600 metres.
“It was very close and for a moment I thought my horse stopped running, but he got a second wind and got his head in front on the line,” said Avranche.
Lemartinel, who mainly trains Purebred Arabians, said he did not have champion trainer’s title in mind but will remember that his predecessor, Ernst Oertel, won the crown twice in the past two seasons.
“It is too early to talk about the trainer’s title,” said the Frenchman. It will be a bit clear towards the end of January where we are heading but at the moment the focus is to saddle as many winners as possible.”
Idler, trained by Ahmad Al Harmash and ridden by Frederik Tylicki, produced a late challenge to take the solitary race for thoroughbreds, and the biggest prize (Dh 100,000) of the evening.
“We set it up well in fractions and he always enjoys a good layoff,” said the winning German rider. “The more time you give him, he gets better. After that good run in fractions this fellow showed that he has some class.”
Abu Dhabi results from Sunday
5pm: Chaikh Man Maiden
Winner: Saklawi Al Reef, Richard Mullen (jockey), Abdulla Al Hammadi (trainer).
5.30pm: Bibi De Carrere Handicap
Winner: Sheikh Down, Gerald Avranche, Eric Lemartinel.
6pm: Damas Conditions
Winner: Nawarat Al Reef, Fernando Jara, Abdulla Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Gee Whiz Handicap (TB)
Winner: Idler, Frederik Tylicki, Ahmad bin Harmash.
7pm: Wathba Stud Farm Cup
Winner: Al Muntakhab, George Buckell, Helal Al Alawi.
7.30pm: Nez D’Or Conditions
Winner: Jamila Al Reef, Jesus Rosales, Abdulla Al Hammadi.
apassela@thenational.ae
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