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Smith triumphs in Royal style

Royal God, ridden by Wayne Smith, made a smooth progress in the concluding stages to land the 1600m Dubai Millennium Thoroughbreds Handicap, the featured race of the final leg of the Spring meets at Meydan Racecourse.

The six-year-old gelded son of Royal Academy from Gold Splash did not impress on UAE debut when raced over 1200m up the hill at Jebel Ali Racecourse and finished disappointingly tenth. But, when he was shifted to Meydan, he was simply impressive and showed the best of him.

Trainer Musabah Al Muhairi said: “He loved the surface. He was settling well and picked up nicely. I think he has at last founded his strides and travelled very strongly when asked the question. Now it’s almost the end of the season and I think he will have a fresh start next season at the Tapieta surface right from day one.”

Smith had earlier in the evening partnered the Brazilian colt Energia Central to victory in the 1900m Cezanne Maiden, the opening race on the card.

The three-year-old Fahim colt made virtually all to win it from the wire to the wire to register his first UAE success after five attempts at various distances and surfaces.

“He was always happy in front and quickened when I asked him. It was not a great race but he has done it nicely,” Smith commented.

Musabah Al Muhairi equally completed a double when Wayne’s brother David Smith then guided Wadi Wandered to win the 1400m Dover Straits Handicap which saw maximum field of 14 runners going to post. David Smith said: “We were very hopeful of a big run and he certainly has not let us down.”

After the 1200m Spindrift an objection was lodged and sustained, resulting with Qamar being awarded the race at the expense of Innocucious who passed the post in front of him but had hampered the other horse 300m out. Trained by Ismail Mohammed, Qamar ran on strongly under Tadhg O’Shea and left stewards with little option but to reverse the placings.

O’Shea said: “I would have won with a clear run and he is a young, progressive horse and a nice prospect.”

Count Paris and Jesus Rosales landed the 1400 Tamayaz (CAN) for trainer Abdulla Bin Huzaim who said: “We have had a good season and the horses have been running well.”

Cadre then denied top-weight in the 2200m Kammtarra under Xavier Ziani. He is trained by Mubarak Bin Shafya and Ziani said: “The yard have given me some good opportunities this year and it has gone well.”

The concluding 2000m Nabhaan was won easily by Dr Faustus. Settled well off the pace by Pat Dobbs, he cruised into contention 300m out and won going away to the delight of his trainer, Doug Watson, who said: “We have had a few go close tonight so it is nice to get a change of luck. That was a great ride from Pat and a great end to the evening.”

hisham@khaleejtimes.com

RACE ONE

6.15pm Thoroughbreds Cezanne Maiden 1900m (a 9.5f) sponsored by Zabeel Feed Mill. Purse: Dh50,000: 1. Energia Central (Eduardo Martins) Wayne Smith 2. High Comedy (Mubarak bin Shafya) Xavier Ziani 3. Atomic Age (Ali Rashid Al Raihe) Royston Ffrench.

Time: 1.59.71. Margins: 2.25L/ 2.5L..

RACE TWO

6.50pm Thoroughbreds Dover Straits Handicap 1400m (a 7f) sponsored by Zabeel Feed Mill. Purse: Dh60,000: 1. Wadi Wanderer (Musabah Al Muhairi) David Smith 2. Mark To Market (Doug Watson) Patrick Dobbs 3. Western Adventure (Satish Seemar) Harry Bentley.

Time: 1.26.33. Margins: NS/ SHD.

RACE THREE

7.30pm Thoroughbreds Tamayaz Handicap 1400m (a 7f) sponsored by Zabeel Feed Mill. Purse: Dh60,000: 1. Count Paris (Abdulla bin Huzaim) Jesus Rosales 2. Skycruiser (Satish Seemar) Harry Bentley 3. Dan Chillingworth (Doug Watson) Tadhg O’Shea.

Time: 1.25.64. Margins: 1L/ 3.25L.HD/ 2L.

RACE FOUR

8.05pm Thoroughbreds Kammtarra Handicap 2200m (a 11f) sponsored by Zabeel Feed Mill. Purse: Dh70,000: 1. Cadre (Mubarak bin Shafya) Xavier Ziani 2. Sunday Symphony (Satish Seemar) Harry Bentley 3. Florentine Ruler (Doug Watson) William Supple.
Time: 2.19.95. Margins: 1.25L/ 4.25L.

RACE FIVE

8.45pm Thoroughbreds Spindrift Handicap 1200m (a 6f) sponsored by Zabeel Feed Mill. Purse: Dh80,000: 1. Qamar (Ismail Mohammed) Tadhg O’Shea 2. Innocuous (Ali Rashid Al Raihe) Ahmed Ajtebi 3. Golden Shaheen (Mubarak bin Shafya) Patrick Cosgrave.

Time: 1.12.43. Margins: 0.75L/ NK.

RACE SIX

9.20pm Thoroughbreds Dubai Millennium Handicap 1600m (a 8f) sponsored by Zabeel Feed Mill. Purse: Dh110,000: 1. Royal God (Musabah Al Muhairi) Wayne Smith 2. Solid Choice (Mike De Kock) Kevin Shea 3. Jedi (Abdulla bin Huzaim) Ted Durcan.

Time: 1.37.46. Margins: NK/ NK.

RACE SEVEN

10pm Thoroughbreds Nabhan Handicap 2000m (a 10f) sponsored by Zabeel Feed Mill. Purse: Dh80,000: 1. Dr faustus (Doug Watson) Patrick Dobbs 2. Lando Junior (Stephane Chevalier) Gregory Benoist 3. Lion Sands (Abdulla bin Huzaim) Carlos Sanchez.

Time: 2.04.70. Margins: 3.75L/ 1.25L.