Bentley moves up a gear with Thakif to win Sheikh Zayed Cup in Abu Dhabi

Trained by Majed Al Jahouri for his main employer, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the duo have now won as a pair on four occasions, representing all of the horse’s career victories.

The winner of the Sheikh Zayed Cup, Thakif, ridden by jockey Harry Bentley, far left, had only stablemate Shateh for competition. Lee Hoagland /The National

ABU DHABI // The 1,600-metre Group 3 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, the official feature at Abu Dhabi’s opening meeting of the season yesterday afternoon, was won in style by Thakif.

Trained by Majed Al Jahouri for his main employer, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, he was ridden by Harry Bentley.

The duo have now won as a pair on four occasions, representing all of the horse’s career victories.

It was a strange race in that only two horses ever looked to hold a serious chance of winning – Thakif and stable companion Shateh, who made the running under apprentice Saeed Al Mazrooei.

Bentley sat just behind, motionless, with the remainder well adrift.

The jockey was clearly happy to bide his time and waited until the runners had turned into the straight before letting out a length of rein as Thakif bounded ahead.

Shateh tried to stay with him, but soon cried enough. He did stay on for second, with Shayel Aldhabi, virtually last at halfway, finishing third.

“I know this horse well and have won on him twice over 1,000m and now twice over this 1,600m,” Bentley said.

“Shateh has given me a lovely tow into the race and I knew I could quicken past him whenever I wanted.

“I did not want to go too early, though, so was happy to wait and take a lead into the straight, at least.

“When I asked him, he showed his great turn of foot and has won well.”

Al Jahouri, who trained every Group 1 Purebred Arabian winner in the UAE season during the last campaign, added: “It is a great result and nice to get a big race winner so early in the season. It was a good ride from Harry and also from Saeed on the runner-up.

“We are really looking forward to the rest of the season. “

It was no great surprise to see the Oertel and O’Shea partnership land the opening 1,400m race with Abhaar for Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, given their great start to the season.

O’Shea stalked the early leader before asking his mount to close on the home turn.

The response was not immediate but the debutant soon realised what was required and was well in charge at the line.

O’Shea was back in the winner’s enclosure an hour later, after the victory of Live Rich in a 1,600m handicap.

It was a first winner for trainer Saeed Hadher Al Mazrouei, who was saddling only his fifth runner. In between, David Smith produced the Satish Seemar-trained Royal Revival with a perfectly timed challenge to win the only thoroughbred race, a 1,600m handicap.

Well out of his ground with 300m to run, Smith’s mount flew up the rail to lead where it mattered.

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