Sharjah Longines Racecourse wrapped up the busy first three days of the new 2022/23 UAE season with six races on Sunday, marked by a 2000m handicap; the HE Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup won in earnest determined by Hakaam, a third winner on the card for Al Wathba Racing and completing the double for trainer Jean de Roualle and jockey Dane O’Neill who would later complete a triple.
O’Neill always seemed confident aboard the 4-year-old who made a winning debut this weekend last year in Al Ain.
He hadn’t won since, in three attempts, but had taken full advantage of what was essentially a drop in class.
A homegrown horse, 1200m handicap, has opened up, and the ever-dreaded combination of Tadhg O’Shea, the owner holding him back, Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, and his head trainer Ernst Oertel got off to a great start with the ultra game AF Marmuq struggling with a hit from the game.
Born at home, the 4-year-old colt was always prominent on the front side before hitting the front squarely shortly after halfway. They were managed by AS Quit then but fought valiantly to regain the lead when it mattered.
Also for the United Arab Emirates, the next 1000m for the 3-year-olds, all making their debuts, was won in style by Sadiq Al Wathba, a second win this weekend for the combination of jockey Dane O’Neill, trainer Jean de Rouall and owners Al Wathba. Races.
After chasing initial speed, O’Neill still looked confident and seized the initiative in the final 450 meters, after which the race quickly ended as a contest.
A 2000m maiden was pretty much all on a horse with apprentice Marcelino Rodrigues soon ahead of 5-year-old debutant AF Mouhayer who proved a resolute partner in the closing stages for Ernst Oertel in the colours of champion owner Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, completing the double for owner and trainer.
Pat Dobbs doesn’t ride too many purebred Arabians but was seen at his best in a 1700m handicap with a more than polished performance to clinch the spoils aboard Farhaan for trainer Jean-Claude Pecout and complete a doubled on the map for Al Wathba Racing.
The final and only Thoroughbred race on the card also went to O’Neill, completing a hat-trick, over Shadwell’s Al Hadeer who probably never realized he had five rivals having gone straight to the front and clear halfway, coach John Hyde scoring with his first runner of the season.
It was a first career success for the 6-year-old gelding son of War Front, but well deserved after finishing second twice at this course and distance last season, as well as holding the same position at Al Ain in march.