Photo Andrew Watkins
Sunday December 8, 2013, Abu Dhabi ~ Areem (Mahabb (AE) – Canelle De Carrere (FR) by Djamel) landed the 1600m Group 1 Purebred Arabian National Day Cup at Abu Dhabi on Sunday, December 8, for owner Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan under the able hands of Ahmad Atjebi. In doing so, he becomes the fourth horse to win the race more than once after Alanudd (1993, 1996-1998), Ezil (1999-2001) and Dynamite (2006 & 2010). He was chased home by Sahib Du Clos, himself seeking a second win in the race, having won it in 2011 for Saifaldin Deeb. Trainer Majed Al Jahouri also saddled the third, Rabbah De Carrere.
Ajtebi said: “This is undoubtedly one of the best Purebred Arabian racehorses in this country and he has shown it again today. I won three on him last year and he has had a nice break since which I think has improved him. That was a better National Day Cup than last year and this year he has won it on his seasonal debut. He is a big, heavy horse and will improve fitness-wise so full credit to Majed Al Jahouri and his team.”
The meeting opened with a 1600m conditions race and Harry Bentley produced AF Al Hazer (AF AL BURAQ (AE) x KEROUANE (FR) by Tidjani ) to lead about 100m out and sprint clear from ten rivals to make it two wins from two starts. Trained by Ibrahim Al Hadhrami for owner, Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, the youngster made a winning debut over 1400m three weeks ago and, able to successfully give weight to his rivals here and looks to be improving.
Bentley said: “That was a good performance and he has relished the nice, fast ground. He should improve again.”
Originally a reserve, the Jaber Bittar-trained Sharaf Al Reef (Bibi De Carrere (FR) x NOMARCHIE (FR) by Djelfor) made the most of his late invite to win the following 1600m maiden with Richard Mullen in the saddle. A smiling jockey said: “I was delighted when they phoned me this morning to say he was in because I knew they thought he had a big chance. He did it well and I was confident from a long way out.”
Bittar wasted no time on completing a double, this time with Jesus Rosales partnering Ragdan ( NEZ D’OR (FR) x DAGAM (US) by TC Tomtyr) for Al Reef Stables to a last gasp victory in the 2200m handicap. Settled way off the early pace by Rosales, Ragdan produced a sustained run in the straight to lead close home to deny stable companion Monawer.
Wayne Smith produced a dramatic late surge from Najem S’Heel (BIG EASY (US) – LAZIA LOTOISE (FR) by Kesberoy) to snatch victory in the 1000m Wathba Stud Farm Cup handicap, just 30 minutes after the jockey and the winner’s trainer, Saifaldin Deeb, had been denied with Sahib Du Clos in the feature.
~end