ABU DHABI // Makzon on Sunday night proved he is one for the future at the Emirati trainer Ahmad bin Harmash’s yard.
The four-year-old son of Henrythenavigator, a winner of four Group 1 prizes including both the English and Irish Guineas, was an impressive winner of the Handicap for thoroughbreds run over 2,200 metres.
Jockey Harry Bentley timed his move perfectly for Makzon to pounce on the long-time leader Invincible Strike under Fernando Jara and go on to win from the Richard Mullen-ridden Signs In The Sand by more than five lengths.
“He had the benefit of two runs and was the bottom weight, that obviously was an advantage,” Bentley said.
“We were drawn in Gate 3 and I wanted to have him placed in a nice handy position. He travelled well and when I asked for his effort he did it quite comfortably.”
Bin Harmash had expected a good run from his charge on the strength of his two efforts in finishing second twice at Meydan.
“One of the positives we can take from this win is that he’s versatile, having run well on both the dirt at Meydan and now the turf in Abu Dhabi,” said the Emirati. “He will make a good long distance prospect, if not this season, perhaps, next season.”
Ernst Oertel saddled two winners to take his tally to 11 for the season while Wayne Smith rode a double on the night.
Smith led a one-two finish for the Al Asayl Stables, running away with Bedayer Al Asayl from the Tadhg O’Shea-ridden Al Yawazi in the second race.
He then steered Gozla’An home in the final race for his double.
Richard Mullen made every yard of the running to claim the opener on Oertel’s AF Tawaq by nine lengths and Sam Hitchcott completed the double for the South African trainer by taking the third race onboard AF Hakeem.
However, O’Shea was not left out of collecting a prize. The Irishman led AF Maqayes to victory in the Wathba Stud Farm Cup for private owners.
It was another winner for Emirati trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe and took his tally for the season to 26, four behind the leader Doug Watson.
Mullen was thrown off Madjanthis in that race but returned without any serious injuries.
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