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Iguazu Falls storms to victory

Iguazu Falls appeared from nowhere under Xavier Ziani to land the National Day Cup Prep, the only Thoroughbreds race in the otherwise All-Arabians race-card at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday evening.

The five-year-old gelded son of Pivotal is trained by Mubarak bin Shafya for owner Shaikh Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

Iguazu Falls was the first to leave the machine and stormed home unchallenged in the 1600m Handicap final race on the card.

Earlier, Frynchman produced a late run under regular partner David Badel to land the 1600m Al Hosn Maiden opening race of the six-race-card at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday evening.

Trained by Eric Lemartinel on behalf of His Highness President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, three-year-old Calin Du Lop colt sprinted away from his opponents in the concluding stages of the trip to prevail by more than three lengths before being eased close home. The boys in Blue Wayne Smith and Tadhg O’Shea astride Aqmaar and Masharref finished second and third respectively.

Eric Lemartinel went for a quick double when stable jockey Gerard Avranche brought Albar Lotois home ahead of fast finishing AF Maqam Alezz under Wencelas Walter in the 1600 Corniche Handicap, the second race of the evening.

Lamea set the early pace under lady jockey Salima Al Taleei in the early stages of the race but Al Bar Lotois made all the running and quickened to lead easily in the last furlong. AF Maqam Alezz finished second to give the Frenchman a 1-2 finish.

UAE trainer Ahmed Al Shamsi saddled his first winner of the season with Athena leading from start to finish in the 1400m Purebred Arabians Yas Island Conditions third race.

The brilliant filly broke very well from the stalls in the hands and heels of the Italian apprentice Antioco Murgia and held on very strongly under pressure to prevail by just a neck from the mount of Jesus Rosales, Barood Al Reef.

Eric Lemartinel completed a treble in the fifth race after Gerald Avranche led Samira De Carrer to a narrow win over Baher in the 220m Saadiyat Handicap fifth race. Platine De Sinhue, ridden by Patrick Dobbs won the fourth race Wathba Stud Farm Private Owners Maiden for trainer Anthony Manuel.

Complete Result: Race One: 5pm Purebred Arabians Maiden Al Hosn Maiden Race 1600m (a 8f). Purse: Dh65.000: 1. Frynchman (Eric Lemartinel) David Badel 2. Aqmaar (Musabah Al Muhairi) Wayne Smith 3. Masharref (Ali Rashid Al Raihe) Tadhg O’Shea.

Race Two: 5.30pm Purebred Arabians Handicap Corniche Handicap Race 1600m (a 8f). Purse: Dh35.000: 1. Albar Lotois (Eric Lemartinel) Gerard Avranche 2. AF Maqam Alezz (Eric Lemartinel) Wencelas Walter 3. AF Asasi (Bakhit Al Ketbi) Wayne Smith.

Race Three: 6pm Purebred Arabians (UAE Bred) Yas Island Conditions Race 1400m (a 7f). Purse: Dh35.000: 1. Athena (Ahmed Al Shamsi) Antioco Murgia 2. Barood Al Reef (Dr. jabber Bittar) Jesus Rosales 3. BH Dahman (Antony Manuel) Patrick Dobbs.

Race Four: 6.30pm Purebred Arabians Maiden Wathba Stud Cup (Private Owners) Race 2200m (a 11f). Purse: Dh40.000: 1. Platine De Sinhue (Anthony Manuel) Antioco Murgia 2. Neferman (Eric Lemartinel) Gerald Avranche 3. Al Nashmy (Saifaldin Deeb) Royston Ffrench.

Race Five: 7pm Purebred Arabians Handicap Saadiyat Handicap Race 2200m (a 11f). Purse: Dh80.000: 1. Samira De Carrer (Eric Lemartinel) Gerald Avranche 2. Baher (Eric Lemartinel) Wenclas Walter 3. Al Mannsoub (Gillian Duffield) Tadhg O’Shea.

Race Six: 7.30pm Thoroughbreds Conditions National day Cup Prep 1600m (a 8f). Purse: Dh85.000: 1. Iguazu Falls (Mubarak bin Shafya) Xavier Ziani 2. Eddie Jock (Satish Seemar) Richard Mullen 3Mulaqat (Dhruba Selvaratnam) Roary Cleary.