Adrie de Vries rides Raahy to comfortable victory in Jebel Ali

Richard Mullen, on Cross The Ocean, beat Doug Watson’s Uncle Hamed in a photo-finish

Richard Mullen, on Cross The Ocean (near side), battles against Pat Dobbs on board Uncle Hamed at the Jebel Ali racecourse on Friday. Courtesy Dubai Horse Racing Information Centre

Adrie de Vries on Jaber Ramadhan’s Raahy scooped the feature prize in Jebel Ali’s third meeting on Friday.

The Brazen Beau gelding wore down Nicholas Bachalard’s Raakezz over the 1,000-metre sprint to win by a length and-a-quarter to register his first triumph in the Emirates in six starts.

“He had run some nice races against older horses and we were hopeful today against three-year-olds,” De Vries said.

“I worked with him the other day and he was in good form. He was nice and relaxed and won well.”

Rashed Bouresly made a triumphant return with his first runner for the season, Imprison, coming home a convincing winner.

The Sea The Stars gelding, under Fabrice Veron, raced prominently before going clear in the final 100m to win from Musabah Al Muhairi’s Iftitah by five lengths.

“I was told by the trainer not to worry of his first run for the season,” Veron said. “He travelled well and still had plenty in the tank towards the end.”

In the race for the two-year-olds provided the most exciting finish in the six-race card with Richard Mullen, on Satish Seemar’s $90,000 newcomer Cross The Ocean, edging out Doug Watson’s Uncle Hamed in a photo-finish over the 1,000m sprint.

“We knew our horses were all set and ready to go but when these youngsters travel up the [Jebel Ali] hill different things, different reactions can happen,” the Zabeel Stables trainer said.

“None of the two-year-old olds could come to Jebel Ali for a spin because the track is closed for outsiders.

“I think my horse had two patchy spots but then he decided to go on. As soon as he came to the inside, he was up there.

“He’s the first son of Frosted who raced in Dubai. He’s a very well put-together horse. Perfect size. We always liked him.”