Richard Mullen rides winner at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Antinori pips Malekov for thrilling victory.

Abu Dhabi — Antinori trained by Satish Seemar with Richard Mullen on the mount landed the spoils in a thrilling Gee Whiz Handicap the feature race of Abu Dhabi’s fifth race meeting at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday night.

In the only Thoroughbred contest of the six-race card and run over 2400 metres Antinori who had finished second to Ukrainian in the Al Reem Island Handicap run over 2200 metres last time out fought to the finish to beat the Ernst Oertel-trained Malekov and ridden by Daniel Muscutt by a head.

The field was down to 10 after Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained Ukrainian to be ridden was Royston Ffrench was withdrawn at the last moment following veterinary advice.

Yaseer trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe had galloped into the distance and had built up a lead of five lengths over the chasing pack.

Meanwhile the fancied Udabaa trained by Doug Watson with Dane O’Neill on the mount had moved up to fourth and with 400 metres to go was in joint lead with Malekov. But Antinori made a brilliant late charge with 200 metres left and ran side by side to Malekov as they crossed the finish line.

“He ran a good race here last time out and was second to Ukrainian. He had a clear run and as long as he hit the front there was no looking back. It is nice to get a win” said Richard Mullen.

The feature race for the Purebred Arabians the Bibi De Carrere Handicap run over 1600 metres and contested by seven runners was clinched by one of the favourites the Ernst Oertel-trained Molahen El Alhan.

Owned by The President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Molahen El Alhan with Tadhg O’Shea on the mount went wide out of the gates and surged into the lead. The four-year-old then broke away and was three and a half lengths ahead of the Dr. Jaber Bittar-trained Monawer with 300 metres to go.

Molahen El Alhan took the finish line at one and a half lengths over Monawer ridden by Jesus Rosales.

“He is very good around here. He is also a better runner on turf. He has always there when there’s a hard race” said Tadhg O’Shea.

Ernst Oertel then made it a double on the night after Richly Blessed ridden by Royston Ffrench and owned by The President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan rode to victory in the Damas Handicap over 1600 metres.

Earlier the first race of the evening the Chaikh Man Maiden run over 1400 metres trainer Jameel Salman got his first winner of the season after Nizam Al Gharbia rode to victory with Oisin Murphy on the mount.

ES Kram saddled by Mohd Ramadan and ridden by Silvestre De Sousa was off in a jiffy and led with close to 300 metres to go. But Nizam Al Gharbia ran on the outside and overtook ES Kram with 100 metres left and took the win among the 16 runners.

The second race Nez D’Or Conditions was won by Haanoof trained by Yousif Al Bloushi and owned by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The Ernst Oertel-trained Burj Khalifa with Tadhg O’Shea on the mount had taken the lead but with 400 metres to go Haanoof ridden by Patrick Dobbs took the lead and broke away for the win.

Silvestre De Sousa rode the Saifaldin Deeb-trained Al Waqqad to a thrilling victory in the Wathba Stud Farm Cup For Private Owners Only the fifth race which was run over 1600 metres with 12 runners.

Tha’er trained by Saeed Hadher Al Mazrouei and ridden by Richard Mullen had taken the lead with Ain Jaloot trained by Eric Lemartinel close behind. But with 200 metres left Al Waqqad and Ain Jaloot headed for a close finish.

jameskhaleejtimes.com

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