DUBAI // It was smiles all around for the sponsors when Sefri won the Jebel Ali Stakes Prep, the feature event at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday.
Raced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, who sponsored the race through his Shadwell stables, the Erwan Charpy-trained former French racehorse caused a surprise recording his first victory in the UAE.
Ridden by Paul Hanagan, the five-year-old gelding took his career total of wins to four, adding to three in France in 2013.
“He has been running well,” Charpy said.
“We have just taken a while to really get to know his best trip and the tactics to adopt. It appears he has not always found a lot off the bridle but he has won well today.
“This win gives us plenty of options, obviously here at Jebel Ali but, of course, at Meydan and the Carnival, be it on dirt or the turf. He is a nice horse and one to look forward to.”
Doug Watson’s Red Stables team has been in flying form of late but went winless at Meydan on Thursday and also in the first three races at Jebel Ali until Busatto ended that run with victory in the fourth, a handicap over 1,800 metres.
Taken straight into the lead by Pat Dobbs, he powered to win decisively. Disappointing on the Abu Dhabi turf on his UAE debut, he was a Jebel Ali winner over 1,950m on his dirt bow three weeks ago.
“He obviously loves it here and this surface,” Watson said. “After his Abu Dhabi run we have just tinkered with his bridle and it has worked perfectly.
“This was a good performance and another drop in trip. The Jebel Ali Mile is a definite option.”
Watson was celebrating a double just 30 minutes later with Banaadeer making a winning seasonal return in a 1,200m handicap.
Having only his third UAE start, Banaadeer made virtually all of the running and in doing so also completed doubles for Sheikh Hamdan and Hanagan.
“He has had a few problems at the stalls,” said Hanagan. “So fair play to Doug and his team who have, hopefully, rectified that. He did it well today and is hopefully a sprinter who can go on from this.”
There were highs and lows for jockey Richard Mullen. He added a double to his season’s tally before injury robbed him of a third visit to the winner’s circle.
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