ABU DHABI // Richard Hills demonstrated just why he is Sheikh Hamdan's retained jockey when he won the featured Arabian Triple Crown Round I at Abu Dhabi last night. Riding Royal Class, trained by Gillian Duffield, Hills exuded class and confidence on the four-year-old, who he held up at the back of the field before making smooth progress to hit the front a furlong out. Duffield said: "We were very disappointed when the horse was beaten last time and Richard [Hills] insisted he was better than that. Luckily he has been proved correct and we will come back for the second leg."
The sole thoroughbred race was easily won by the Musabah al Muhairi-trained Hawks Home, who always looked the likely winner under Wayne Smith, who said: "I was always happy as they went very quickly and we know this horse stays." The jockey completed a double having won a mile handicap equally easily on the Saifaldin Deeb-trained Rachidia. The trainer said: "We were only just beaten last time out and he deserved a change of luck."
The former champion jockey Willie Supple made his first ride of the current Abu Dhabi season a winning one, taking the opening mile maiden on Dhruba Selvaratnam's Quantum Du Croate. Supple said: "It is great to be back, especially in the winner's enclosure. Dhruba and I have enjoyed a lot of success over the years so it is nice to ride him a winner." The second mile maiden was won by BH One, making a winning debut for trainer Samir Hawaa and a first winner locally for his jockey Safwan Al Reffai.
@Email:jsullivan@thenational.ae
