Trainer Salem Al Ketbi saddled a treble at Al Ain on Saturday, with three different jockeys aboard the winners and highlighted by the success of Madjanthat and Richard Mullen in the featured 1,600-metre handicap.
Only six went to post, with Mullen content to bide his time in the rear before pulling his mount wide early in the straight to challenge down the outside.
At this point, stable companion Sheikh Down and stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea were in front but about to be challenged by Safir Bainuna.
O’Shea’s mount was headed less than 200m from home but fought back, while Mullen and the eventual winner were making relentless progress.
Even with 50m left any of the three could have won, and it was only in the final strides Mullen’s mount hit the front, denying Safir Bainuna.
“It was always going to be a nice spare ride for a powerful team, and this horse has plenty of ability but is a real character,” Mullen said.
“I thought he was not going to try almost early on, but once we have hit the straight he has responded really well.
“He could turn out a pretty decent performer.”
Earlier, O’Shea had picked the right one with Rabdan running out the ready winner of the opening 2,000m handicap, winning for the first time on his fourth career start and second attempt locally.
“He was the only four year old in the race, so we have to be pleased he has beaten his elders in good style,” O’Shea said.
“We hoped he would as his work has been good at home and we knew he would handle the dirt.
“There should be more to come from him with luck.”
Pat Dobbs was aboard Al Ketbi’s third winner, Bashayer, which was successful in a 1,400m maiden on only her second career outing.
Musabah Al Muhairi saddled first and second in the only thoroughbred race, the concluding 1,000m handicap, with Royston Ffrench aboard winner Sixty Minutes. They denied stable jockey Silvestre de Sousa and Conform With Fact.
Out of luck there, De Sousa had earlier partnered Mahdi to a comfortable victory in an 1,800m maiden for trainer Ahmed Al Mehairbi.
Paul Hanagan and Alameer led close home to win a 1,400m handicap, denying Knife, in identical style to when the pair clashed three weeks ago.
It was a first victory for Hanagan since returning to action after fracturing a collarbone in November.
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