Racing at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday was highlighted by DP World, UAE Region, a 1600m turf handicap in which the maximum allowed field of 14 went to post. The AED 190,000 event was won in style by Mailshot, who is trained by Salem bin Ghadayer for His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.
Mailshot Delivers On Meydan March 3 Feature
Settled well off the pace by Mickael Barzalona as Sam Hitchcott set the early pace on Pillar of Society, Mailshot cruised into contention at the top of the lane, bobbed and weaved through horses and eventually reached the front with about 200m to go. The U. S.-bred son of Hard Spun hit the wire a half-length to the good of a game and rallying Musawaat under Adrie De Vries.
“He did not seem to handle the dirt on his first start for us, but has now produced four solid runs on turf,” Barzalona said. “He stays further, so I was happy they went a strong gallop, which has really helped me. He took me into the race going very strongly. He is a nice horse and, as only a four-year-old, hopefully still improving and going to be a very nice horse next season.”
Trainer Doug Watson dominated the Mina Rashid, a 2000m dirt handicap, saddling Dehbashi to beat stable companion Grand Argentier, who tried to make all under Tadhg O’Shea. Pat Dobbs was aboard the winner, who stalked until commencing a rally to catch his yard-mate in midstretch.
Dobbs said: “Basically I was happy to take my time, because I wanted something to aim at in the straight, which is exactly what happened. This is not a horse you want to hit the front on too early, but everything panned out perfectly today.”
Race Results
The trainer went on to complete a double in the Mina Hamriya, a 1600m dirt handicap, in which the admirable 8-year-old Moosir posted his third win of the season and second over course and distance. Ridden by Jim Crowley, riding for his main employer, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he was held up just behind the early speed before taking the lead halfway up the straight and grinding out a 1¼-length victory over the Satish Seemar-trained duo of Mazeed and Simple Attack.
There was only one filly among the ten who took their chance in the opening National Industries Park, a 1600m dirt maiden, and Heart Power ran out the decisive winner over the boys. Sent straight to the front by Adrie de Vries and sporting the colours of Dr Ali Ridha for trainer Ismail Mohammed, the daughter of Poet’s Voice always looked to be in control. Once committed for home, she kicked on nicely and was throttled down slightly near the wire to win by 2¾ lengths over Rua Augusta.
Dutchman De Vries said: “She broke very well today, which was great so we could utilise her big stride. She was really enjoying herself out in front; pricking her ears and going at a sensible pace. In her first two starts, over 1400m, she was never able to get into a rhythm, but today she did. I was very confident throughout the race because she will stay further than this 1600m, but was always going well within herself today.”
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