Jebel Ali // The featured 1,950-metre conditions race on Friday was won by Jutland, who is trained by Doug Watson and made virtually every yard of the running under Pat Dobbs.
The win reversed the result from 12 months ago when he was second to the Satish Seemar-trained Farrier, who had to settle for second this year.
Dobbs was allowed to dictate a steady gallop before raising the pace in the 800m home straight.
Farrier loomed large 400m from home but could not get past his rival who was increasing his advantage near the line.
“We were pretty confident coming into the race as he is in the same kind of form as he was the season before last whereas we were never totally happy with him last season,” Watson said. “Pat has given him a great ride.”
It was a good afternoon for the trainer who saddled three winners, two seconds and a third from nine runners on the card.
In the previous race, Dane O’Neill, riding for his main employer, Sheikh Hamdan, always looked confident on the Watson-trained Maqaraat in a 1950m handicap and, once the pair hit the front 200m, out the result was never in doubt.
“Dane has given him a great ride and the horse deserves another win. He never runs a bad race, is ultra consistent and always tries his best,” Watson said. “We have made a good start to the season and hopefully can continue in good form throughout the campaign.”
Watson’s third winner came after Jutland’s triumph with Dobbs again in the saddle, with Faulkner making a winning debut in a 1200m maiden.
Never far of the pace, Watson’s charge showed a nice turn of foot to land the spoils and his trainer said: “He is a nice horse and we were hoping for a big run. You never know how they will handle their first race but he really coped well and is a nice prospect.”
The 1000m conditions race went to Sholaan, representing the ‘home team’ of racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed, handler Dhruba Selvaratnam, who trains on the track and stable jockey Oisin Murphy.
Racing began with a 1400m handicap and Asatir, on his UAE debut, overcame a 413 day absence from the track to win going away under Wayne Smith.
Formerly with Godolphin, Asatir is trained by Erwan Charpy who said: “He has been pleasing us at home but we know, ideally, he wants further. However, in his work he has not been handling bends particularly well so we were keen to bring him here on the straight track.
The last race, a 1000m handicap, was won by Sixty Minutes, trained by Musabah Al Muhairi and ridden by Silvestre De Dousa.
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