ABU DHABI // Shateh made a great return from a 430-day injury lay-off on Sunday night to clinch the Dh300,000 Group 3 Al Ruwais Sprint and deny stable companion Sha’Red from winning the race for the third straight year.
Harry Bentley sent the seven year old into the lead and he always appeared to have the race under his control at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
“He ran a very, very good race for a horse that was returning from a long lay-off from the racetrack,” the winning jockey said.
“He led all the way and was very genuine. He made the initiative to go to the front to hold a good advantage over this 1,000-metre trip. I didn’t push very hard in front as he’s got a good turn of foot as well.”
Sha’Red, ridden by Wayne Smith, could only finish over two lengths behind, with RB Torch under leading jockey Tadhg O’Shea a farther half-a-length back in third.
“Sha’Red was obviously the one we expected to win but Shateh ran a blinder on his return,” the winning trainer Nacer Samiri said.
“Shateh was returning from injury and we’ll see how he has come out of this race. We will discuss with his owners what’s next best for him.
“Sha’Red has got a bit complacent with age but the Group 1 Liwa Oasis, a prize he won last year, may be one of his targets.”
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In other races, Abhaar under O’Shea staved off a late challenge from the Fernando Jara-ridden Sharaf Al Reef to clinch the Dh150,000 Abu Dhabi Equestrian Gold Cup.
“He’s got very laidback as he’s matured as a racehorse. He’s a real crack miler but the way he races now he can get a little bit further,” said O’Shea, who took his season win tally to 34, nine more than his closest challenger Pat Dobbs. O’Shea was out of the stalls in a flash and bowled along in front until challenged by Jara from the 200-metre pole.
But that was as close Sharaf Al Reef got as. “When the second horse came close Abhaar was flicking his ears and stayed on gamely to win. He’s a lovely horse and a high-class local breed.”
Abu Dhabi seems to be a happy hunting ground for the Ahmad bin Harmash-trained Makzon.
The gelded son of both English and Irish 2000 Guineas winner Henrythenavigator made it maintained a 100 per cent record in Abu Dhabi on his second visits to the capital’s track by winning the solitary prize for thoroughbreds on the six-race card.
“He has won his two races in Abu Dhabi quite well but he still needs to raise his level before we can think of a step up for him,” Bin Harmash said.
“He was runner-up in both his starts at Meydan on the dirt. So he’s run well in all four starts since arriving from England in the summer.
“Like I said earlier, he can turn out to be decent long distance horse next year.”
Sunday’s results from Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club
5pm: Al Samha Maiden
Winner: AZ Al Nayef, Hector Crouch (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer).
5.30pm: Habshan Maiden
Winner: Infijar, Carlos Sanchez, Mohammed Al Shamsi.
6pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club Gold Cup
Winner: Abhaar, Tadhg O’Shea, Eric Lemartinel.
6.30pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3
Winner: Shateh, Harry Bentley, Nacer Samiri.
7pm: Wathba Stud Farm Cup
Winner: Latifa Princess, Sam Hitchcott, Veronika Aske.
7.30pm: Al Dhafra Handicap
Makzon, Frederik Tylicki, Ahmad bin Harmash.
apassela@thenational.ae
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