Al Tiryaq lands ADEC Gold Cup in a thriller

abu dhabi — Racing in the capital on Sunday was highlighted by the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club Gold Cup, one of three Prestige races over 1,600m on the card and won, in a thriller, by Al Tiryaq.

Only five may have gone to post, but all the quintet was virtually in a line at about the 250m pole with last year’s winner, Hamza, trying valiantly to hold on along the rail. AF Sanad had thrown down the first challenge early in the straight, soon followed by AF Yatroq and it was that pair Hamza saw off first.

However, at about the same time, AF Al Hazer and Al Tiryaq joined in with the former, on his first start since Dubai World Cup night and the Kahayla Classic, briefly looking the main danger. Inside the final 100m, he faltered and dropped to third, but Sam Hitchcott and Al Tiryaq quickened in the final stages to win going away at the line.

It was a fourth win this season for the five-year-old, trained by Abdallah Al Hammadi for Al Ajban Stables. Hitchcott said: “He is a smashing little horse and very versatile; he won over 1,400m in November and 2,200m two weeks ago. He has a turn of foot which is a great asset in these races, as well as a desire to win, which makes my job easier.”

Also Prestige races and over 1,600m are the Emirates Colts Classic and Emirates Fillies Classic, restricted to four-year-olds and the main support races on the card. Omani raider Ghazayel has now raced in Abu Dhabi twice and is a dual Classic winner, after adding the 1,600m Emirates Fillies Classic to the 1400m Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic she won, on her turf debut in December.

Also a winner three times in Muscat, where the race on dirt and over trips ranging from 1,200m to 1,800m, she is clearly both versatile and talented.

For trainer Younis Al Kalbani, it is two UAE winners from as many starters and for apprentice jockey, Saif Al Balushi, a fifth and fourth this season. Settled on the rail, in midfield, Ghazayel was switched around rivals 700m out before easing to the lead entering the relatively short straight.