January 5, 2014, Abu Dhabi ~ January 5th’s Abu Dhabi meeting was highlighted by the Listed Arabian Triple Crown R1 where the Ernst Oertel-trained Nymphea Du Paon (Mahabb (AE) x Safira Du Paon (FR) by Akbar) was the brave winner under James Doyle, providing the Champion Trainer with consecutive victories in the Listed contest.
The pair made it look easy with Doyle always looking happy out in front. “She is a really straightforward filly with a great attitude,” said the jockey. “She is very talented and she has shown here just how brave she is as she had to fight hard in the final 200m. The runner-up is a very good horse so that was a particularly pleasing effort on what was a nice spare ride for me.” 
Oertel won the same race last year with Shayel Aldhabi.
Harry Bentley combined with trainer, Majed Al Jahouri to land the 1400m handicap in style with Duzar (Munjiz (FR) x Koralya De Nerak (FR) by Dormane (FR) for owner, Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Not the quickest away, the pair made smooth progress at halfway to stalk the leaders into the straight before Bentley went for home 400m out. They hit the front at the 200m pole and ran on strongly to win well.
Bentley explained: “This horse has plenty of ability but is a bit of a character and not always the easiest to coax into a race. He has done everything right this evening and won well in a good race.”
The jockey went on to complete a double when steering Safir Bainuna (ELIOS DE CARRERE x Instigate (US) by ZT Ali Baba) to success in the Wathba Stud Farm for Private Owners 1600m conditions race for trainer Ahmed Al Mehairbi who also owns this winner.
Bentley won a similar race on the horse three weeks ago and said: “We were very hopeful of a big run because he did it well the last time and the horse we beat has won since. “He is a decent enough performer in his grade and it is always nice to ride winners for the smaller yards as well as the major ones.”
The only Thoroughbred race, a 2400m handicap, provided the Satish Seemar-trained Inthar the perfect opportunity to double his local tally and he has now won both his starts for his new trainer having left Godolphin.
A 2200m handicap winner a fortnight ago, he hit the front here about 200m out under Richard Mullen and the pair won easily. Mullen said: “He is a nice new horse in the yard and relishes these conditions. He was good two weeks ago but that was a better performance.”
The 2200m handicap produced a thrilling finish with at least half a dozen of the 14 runners holding every chance with less than 100m to run. It was left to Manan (Doran x Mangaline Du Loup (FR) by Manganate) to snatch a dramatic late victory for Athba Stud. Carlos Sandoval produced his mount to lead close home for trainer Eric Lemartinel who also saddled the runner-up, Theoretically.
The meeting opened with a 1600m maiden which proved the ideal opportunity for the Jameel Salman-trained Live Rich (TH Richie (US) x Djenzel (US) by Djendel (FR)to open his account at the 11th attempt. Never far off the pace under Xavier Ziani, he was sent to the front 400m out and always looked likely to hold on, despite the late challenge of Dere’A Al Jazeera who was finishing fast under Pat Dobbs.
Ziani said: “He really deserved that as he has been second twice and third in his three previous starts this season.”
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