7 November 2009
UAE debutant Escape Route made his way between horses under Richard Mullen to land the Shadwell-sponsored 1000m TB Conditions race, the highlight of the opening race of the all-thoroughbred six-race card.
“This horse has come to Dubai three months ago and he didn’t go back,” said the Zabeel trainer Satish Seemar later.
The five-year-old by Elusive Quality responded keenly when the Englishman said go to find the escape route, surprising the mount of Gaven Berrer — Surprise Package. Pace setter Jassoos, under William Buick, dropped back to finish third in the concluding stages of the 1000-metre straight test.
The duo made their presence felt early in the afternoon when Mullen partnered debutant Ibn Al Nafis in the colours of Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, Wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-president and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to a thrilling victory in the Thoroughbreds Maiden second race on the card.
The Distorted Humor-colt came from nowhere to pip hot favourite Bur Dubai, Tadhg O’Shea in the saddle, by a nose at the busy finish-line.
Defending champion-trainer Doug Watson drew first blood with an extremely impressive performance when Alsadeek kicked away under Tadhg O’Shea to claim the 1200m Thoroughbreds Handicap opening race in great style.
“He’s now back to form,” said a delighted trainer Doug Watson. “We will race him after two weeks to find out how he came out of the race,” he said.
Tadhg O’Shea levelled with Richard Mullen with a great ride aboard Estihdaf in the distinguished blue colours of Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, in the 1400m fourth race of the afternoon. The Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained kicked away and drew clear from the pack to delight his local trainer who couldn’t believe himself.
Liwa, under Wane Smith, chased the winner all the way but Estihdaf was too good and was three lengths clear before the Irish jockey eased him close home. “He picked up nicely,” said O’Shea who has also completed a double to level with Mullen in the race for the jockeys’ championship.
The fifth race, a TB Handicap over a mile, was won by Seeking An Alibi for the partnership of jockey Carlos Sanchez and local trainer Abdulla bin Huzaim. The gelded son of Storm Cat raced keenly in the centre of the track and drew clear in the final two furlongs to cross the finish line unchallenged.
Local trainer Musabah Al Muhairi and jockey Wane Smith claimed the final race of the afternoon with Seabow.
Results:
Race One 2:30pm TB Handicap sponsored by Shadwell. Purse: Dh65,000
1. Alsadeek (Doug Watson) Tadhg O’Shea 2. Rawalbandie (Rashed Bouresly) Royston Ffrench 3. Celtic King (Musabah Al Muhairi) Selim Kaya.
Time: 1:13:99 Margins: 11L/4.5L
Race Two: 3pm TB Maiden sponsored by Shadwell. 1200m (a 6f) Purse: Dh.60,000
1. Ibn Al Nafis (Satish Seemar) Richard Mullen 2. Bur Dubaik (Doug Watson) Tadhg O’Shea 3. Impenetrable (Ali Rashid Al Raihe) Royston Ffrench Time: 1:14:90 Margins: NS/3.75L
Race Three 3:30pm TB Conditions sponsored by Shadwell. 1000m (a 5f) Purse: Dh100,000
1. Escape Route (Satish Seemar) Richard Mullen. 2. Surprise Package (Rod Simpson) Gaven Birrer. 3. Jassoos (Dhruba Selvaratnam) William Buick
Time: 1:01:48 Margins: 1L/SHD
Race Four 4pm TB Handicap sponsored by Shadwell. 1400m (a 7f) Purse: Dh85,000
1. Estihdaf (Ali Rashid Al Raihe) Tadhg O’Shea 2. Liwa (Musabah Al Muhairi) Wane Smith 3. Step In Line (Abdulla bin Huzaim) Carlos Sanchez.
Time: 1:27:57 Margins: 2.5L/9.5L
Race Five 4:45pm TB Handicap sponsored by Shadwell. 1600m (a 8f) Purse: Dh60,000
1. Seeking An Alibi (Abdulla Bin Huzaim) Carlos Sanches. 2. Otranto (Ali Rashid Al Raihe) Royston Ffrench 3. For Once (Dhruba Selvaratnam) William Buick.
Race Six 5:15pm TB Handicap sponsored by The British University In Dubai. 1950m (a 9.875f) Purse: Dh70,000
1. Seabow (Musabah Al Muhairi) Wane Smith. 2. Rochdale (Ali Rashid Al Raihe) Royston Ffrench 3. Call Me George (Doug Watson).
