Ghalib gallops home at Al Ain for trainer Majed Al Jahouri

Al Ain // Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed provided the first- and second-placed horses in the featured 1,600-metres conditions race at Al Ain on Friday evening with the Majed Al Jahouri-trained Ghalib denying Haajeb close to home.

Royston Ffrench rode the winner, who fought hard to deny Pat Dobbs and Haajeb, trained by Yousif Al Bloushi, at the course’s second meeting on their new dirt track.

“I was quite hopeful, as he won a similar race to this here last year, on the old surface, over a farther distance,” Ffrench said.

“We knew he would stay well and he has needed all the 1,600m to get on top.”

Trainer Musabah Al Muhairi saddled both winner and runner-up in the only thoroughbred contest, a 1,400m handicap, with stable jockey Silvestre de Sousa aboard the winner, Maltese Cat.

He was chased home, at a respectable distance, by stablemate Mooqtar under Dane O’Neill.

“He has loved that surface and won in some style,” De Sousa said. “It is always nice to ride winners when starting in a new job and it is a good post to have.

“Musabah has been a leading force locally in recent years and we have some nice horses to look forward to.”

The Brazilian jockey later completed a double when landing the concluding 1,000m handicap on Ubu Al Mels, who was roared home to the finish by his ever enthusiastic trainer, Mohd Ramadan.

The opening 1,600m handicap was won by Sabbaq, ridden to a hard-fought success by Richard Mullen for trainer Jaber Bittar.

The pair hit the front about 50m out.

“The horse stays farther, so I was not too worried to be only halfway turning for home as I knew stamina was not going to be an issue,” Mullen said. “He battled well in the final 200m.”

Apprentice George Buckell recorded his first UAE victory at the first Al Ain meeting, two weeks earlier, and doubled his local tally with success on Alize Du Bibal in a 1,400m maiden.

She was chased home by stable companion Mazaha.

Both are trained by Helal Al Alawi.

The 1,400m handicap provided the perfect opportunity for the Elise Jeanne-trained MH Lazzaz to win for the first time – at the 22nd attempt – with Xavier Ziani in the saddle.

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