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Marching Time shines
Marching Time, ridden by Wayne Smith, held on very strongly to prevail by just a neck in a close finish ahead of Dahteer in the 1600m National Day Cup Prep Conditions race,
- PUBLISHED: Mon 14 Nov 2011, 1:02 AM UPDATED: Mon 27 Nov 2023, 4:24 PM
ABU DHABI - Marching Time, ridden by Wayne Smith, held on very strongly to prevail by just a neck in a close finish ahead of Dahteer in the 1600m National Day Cup Prep Conditions race, the only thoroughbred event of the night at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club here on Sunday.
The top Irish jockey completed a double after having partnered Time Out earlier in the evening to win the 1600m Purebred Arabians National Day Prep Conditions Race, the other feature race on the card.
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The eight-year-old veteran son of Al Nasr was back to his best after having disappointed in his last three starts finishing well behind Albar Lotois over distance and course in a Prestige event on seasonal debut late last month.
Stable companion Fryvolous, Ted Durcan up, was a length and a quarter back in second place and Timadit Al Mels took third close home as hot favourite Nieshan finished disappointingly fifth.
The horses will renew rivalry in the National Day Cup Group-1 over the same distance and course in the first week of December.
In the opening race, a UAE Bred Al Hosn Maiden Race, Shahrayar made all to win from the gate to the wire in a stylish fashion in the hands and heels of Ted Durcan.
The three-year-old son of Scharly is owned and bred by His Highness the President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Okba, ridden by Carlos Sandoval chased the winner home to take second and behind them came the mount of Jesus Rosales, Ak Karawan, ridden by Jesus Rosales.Argentinean jockey Carlos Sandoval reversed places with Ted Durcan in the 1600m UAE Rated Yas Island Conditions second race of the evening.
Sandoval brought Mudallal Al Reef home ahead of Durcan's mount Noor Einy in a close finish. Million ran third under Jesus Rosales.
However, Jesus Rosales who finished twice third didn't wait long to ride his first winner of the season when partnered GRP Mudhish to land the 1600m Purebred Arabians Corniche Handicap.
Burkan Al Asayel, Ted Durcan up, broke well and was always going well before he hit the front and looked like a winner as the pack turned for home with over two furlongs remaining.
But Mudhish lived up to his name and took front runner by surprise to cross the finish line ahead of all.
Royston Ffrench teamed up with national trainer Hassan Saleh Al Hammadi to guide Bader to victory in the 1400m Purebred Arabians Wathba Cup Maiden Race (For Private Owners Only) in a thrilling finish.
Debutant Al Shimaa chased the winner all the way to finish close second for trainer Satish Seemar and jockey Richard Mullen while Thalem De Chaillac, ridden by Patrick Cosgrave, was third.