Happy night for Simpson at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club

ABU DHABI // Seraphin Du Paon made a dream local debut by winning the UAE Arabian derby for trainer Rod Simpson under William Buick at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club last night. The Akbar colt came from the back of the field with a strong late run to carry the silks of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the UAE, to a convincing two-and-three-quarter lengths victory over the filly Samira De Carrere ridden by Jesus Rosales.

Willie Supple, on Rahawan Al Reef, was third and Quite A Show, the favourite, came a disappointing fourth under Richard Hills over the 11-furlong distance. Buick said of Seraphin Du Paon: "He is a good moving horse and picked up well when I asked for an effort." Richard Mullen, last Sunday's President's Cup winning jockey, added the Emirates Fillies Classic to his collection on the Jaci Wickham-trained Raeaa W'rsan.

Mullen also came with a late challenge to win with Raeaa W'rsani over the mile trip. The Amer filly was avenging her defeat to Sama Bu Dhabi in the Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic on December 20. Wayne Smith scored contrasting style victories to complete a double for the Emirati trainer Bakhit al Ketbi. He won the opening race on Das Al Jalabi by four lengths from Maxymus and Neferman. He later had to draw all his strength to claim the third race in a photo finish on board Dubai, making all to hold off the late challenges from AF Thaariyah and Mooser. Both races were run over the 11-furlong distance.

Hills had earlier won on Muntaliq and Landowner, under Carlos Sanchez, made it two out of two in the country by winning the night's concluding race. [e-mail]