Brilliant Brabbham breezes past top contenders at Jebel Ali

dubai — A 1950m rated conditions stakes was the official feature at Jebel Ali on Friday afternoon and, for the vast majority of the race, Tadhg O’Shea and Resonant appeared to have matters under control for Doug Watson.

However, passing the 200m pole, Resonant, a 1600m course winner four weeks ago, started to tire and, despite his jockey’s urgings and his own determined attitude, was unable to withstand the late challenge of Brabbham.

Partnered by Connor Beasley for Ahmad bin Harmash, Brabbham was a smooth winner over course and distance in January, in a handicap and has now won half of his four starts under these conditions, finishing second and third on the other two occasions.

This was arguably a career best with a long way back to the third and other four runners in a race only seven finally went to post after two non-runners were announced, both stable companions of Resonant.

A delighted Beasley said: “I only sat on him for the first time at home the other day but the form book shows he likes it here at Jebel Ali.

“I was niggling away for a long time but once he hit that steep hill he has just galloped on resolutely. They went quick for the distance which has really helped him as he just stays on at his own pace.”

He may have been denied in the feature when Resonant was caught but owner Mohd Khalifa Al Basti was still able to celebrate a treble.

There may have only been eight runners in the opening 1000m handicap but that did not prevent it from producing a thrilling finish with Satish Seemar duo Ejbaar and Hammurabi flashing past the post together along with Raafid in a three way battle. It was Richard Mullen and Al Basti’s Ejbaar who prevailed, by a short-head with the same distance back to Raafid. “It was a very good race and an exciting one. Both our horses have run very well as we hoped they would,” said assistant trainer, Bhupat Seemar.

“Ejbaar had a big weight to carry so has done particularly well to hold off Hammurabi as he really had to battle and it is a good result for the whole team.”

Mullen added: “This horse lost his chance with a slow start at Meydan on his first run this season and we knew he was better than that.

“The drop back to 1000m was a bit of a concern today as this was a better race than the one he won over course and distance in January but it has worked out well.”

Thirteen contested the 1600m handicap but, pretty much from the outset, only one mattered with Denzille Lane never headed under Pat Dobbs riding for his main employer Champion Trainer Doug Watson and in the Al Basti silks.