(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) He denies hat trick for stablemate Areem in Group 1 National Day Cup
Harry Bentley celebrates after riding Thakif to victory in the Group 1 National Day Cup in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. — KT photo by Nezar Balout
Abu Dhabi: Thakif under Harry Bentley denied his hat trick seeking stablemate Areem to clinch the Group 1 National Day Cup for Purebred Arabians at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday night.
Thakif and Areem ridden by Silvestre De Sousa completed a one-two for trainer Majed Al Jahouri who had won all eight Purebred Arabian Group 1 races in the UAE last season.
Thakif who had won the Group 3 Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup made a late charge and there was no looking back from there on as Areem who was gunning for a third consecutive win after victories in 2012 and 2013 under Emirati jockey Ahmed Ajtebi was pushed to being second best.
Both are owned by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
AF Lafeh trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe and ridden by Royston Ffrench was third.
“I knew the race would be between these two horses. Thakif had a benefit of a run and Areem was coming off a longer break and his preparation also got a bit delayed. But Areem will get better from this race for the next outing” said Majed Al Jahouri.
Thakif was running after close to a month while Areem was a bit rusty so to speak with his last race being a victory in a 1400 metres Group 1 race in Abu Dhabi back in March.
Meanwhile jockey Bentley said it was a touch and go but Thakif got the job done. “It was a bit touch and go really. Obviously Areem is a good horse. But I saw him struggling at the last bend. He (Thakif) got through with a good run and it has been a good season so far.
The National Day Cup for Thoroughbreds Listed the last race capped off a brilliant night for jockey Richard Mullen who landed three winners. Mullen who had warmed up with victories in the Al Khaleej Al Arabi Conditions Race and Al Ras Al Akhdar Handicap under Sataar Al Reef and Sharaf Al Reef completed a dramatic win on Nine Realms trained by Satish Seemar.
Nine Realms stunned the favourite Nawwaar ridden by Dane O’Neill and trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
“It has been a fantastic night. It is nice to land another one. He came in pretty late last year and we are still learning about him” Mullen said.
Trainer Dr.Jaber Bittar followed up from last week with two winners and a third place finish for the Al Ajban Stables. His Sataar Al Reef with Richard Mullen on the mount won the first race of the evening the Al Khaleej Al Arabi Conditions Race over 1600 metres. And the duo teamed up again with Sharaf Al Reef landing the spoils in the Al Ras Al Akhdar Handicap also run over 1600 metres. Dr.Jaber Bittar’s Ameer Al Reef ridden by Jesus Rosales was third behind UAE Champion Trainer Ernst Oertel’s RB Smokin Rich.
The first race saw seven runners following the late withdrawal of the Ernst Oertel-trained Abhaar and Sataar Al Reef ran on the outside on the final stretch to edge out Nizam Al Gharbia ridden by Oisin Murphy. Royston Ffrench had given Al Shabab a quick start and was in the lead but fell back after the bend.
“He is a nice horse and he has improved in each run” said Mullen.
Sharaf Al Reef took the lead at the bend in the second race but with 200 metres left RB Smokin Rich attempted a late charge but Sharaf Al Reef held on to prevail by nose.
“You got to be on you’re A game. And our stable is in great form. It is always a bonus when you win” Mullen said.
Trainer Saifaldin Deeb and Silvestre De Sousa too notched up two winners winning the Bani Yas Island Maiden Race on Boss Des Vialettes and the Wathba Stud Farm Cup on Najem S’Heel.
jameskhaleejtimes.com
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