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Muarrab Al Muhairi ends Russian Rock’s run

After landing the first race of the afternoon with Colmar Kid, Muarrab provided him with a double in the most exciting event of the afternoon before Dane O’Neill brought Kanaf home in the fifth race at Jebel Ali Racecourse of Friday.

The last two winners were in the silks of the leading international breeder and owner Shaikh Hamdan bins Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance. Ali Rashid Al Raihe landed the feature with Haatheq to complete a hat-trick for Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

However, it’s Muarrab who has put his head in front of United Color in a two-horse contest that ended Russian Rock’s unbeaten run. Ridden by Paul Hanagan, the four-year-old son of Oasis Dream left the machines very quickly and settled at the raced from the centre of the track. At half way, and with six furlongs remaining, Hanagan made a fast move to challenge for the lead. At this stage, James Doyle pushed United Color forward to attack the leader in the concluding stages, but his move was brilliantly blocked by Muarrab to prevail by half a length on the line. Russian Rock dropped back to finish eight lengths behind in fourth. The official feature of the afternoon, an 1800m Thoroughbreds Conditions race, was easily won by Haatheq under former British champion jockey Paul Hanagan.

“He’s a nice horse and was always going well,” said the retained jockey of Shaikh Hamdan.

Having finished second behind stables companion Soft Falling Rain in the Godolphin Mile Gr-2 on the Dubai World Cup night, the six-year-old son of Seeking The Gold launched his campaign from the back of the compact field before he began to make a smooth progress in the home turn and hit the front with four furlongs to cover. “I think he has won easily,” said a delighted Grandstand Stables handler Ali rashid Al Raihe later. “There was nothing to worry about in this company and the 2kg penalty was not a question for me,” he added.

Top weight Jutland was running second with and Tanfeeth came with a late run to take third.

“We will talk to the owner before we decide the next target for him, but the main race, Jebel Ali Stakes Listed, is the obvious option for Haatheq,” Al Raihe confirmed.

Meanwhile, Richard Hughes who have impressed to land his first Meydan’s on the back of the Arabian colt Rabbah De Carrere eight days ago, made it a winning start when he partnered unfancied Colmar Kid to victory in the opening race. The second race was won by veteran Emmrooz in the hands of James Doyle for trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam. Public choice Interpret, ridden by Richard Hughes, finished second and behind them came Street Act. The final race was won by Fiscal, ridden by Manuel Chaves and trained by Majid Al Jahouri for Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.