Treble delight for Fresu and Mheiri at Meydan

DUBAI: Racing at Meydan on Friday was officially highlighted by a 1200m handicap, won stylishly by Union Racing and Abdallah Al Mamari’s Vasari, completing quick doubles for Antonio Fresu and Musabbeh Al Mheiri.

Fresu was content to bide his time on the rail with the early leaders seting a frantic gallop before switching out early in the straight and pouncing inside the final 250m.

It was a third career success for the 5yo gelded son of Muhaarar and second over this course and distance, his maiden success having been posted over 1400m at Jebel Ali in February 2021. He won over this Meydan 1200m on his seasonal debut last year but disappointed trying win the same race again on his return this campaign.

Fresu said: “I was prety confident coming here as I knew he was a lot fiter than last time and we had a good draw. They went very quick which has suited him and that was a nice performance in a good race.”

Riding for Elbashir Salem Elhrari and Al Mheiri, Fresu had delivered Emdakam fast and late to land the preceding 1600m maiden, the 4yo Twilight Son colt making it third time lucky on his seasonal bow and returning from 351 days without competitive action.

Jockey and trainer then almost made it a third straight win with Graffiti Master closing rapidly as the line approached but unable to deny Mulfit, partnered by Oscar Chavez for Doug Watson and Al Ghandi Racing.

Al Mheiri and Fresu were not to be denied trebles though, then combining to land the concluding 1600m handicap with Street Mood for Jumaa Mubarak Al Junaibi.

For Horses purchased at ERA Racing in Dubai Sales in April 2021, September 2021 or September 2022, the 1600m Graduation Stakes, a conditions contest, was decided in the closing stages when Island Rule, who looked a most unlikely winner with just one of his five rivals behind him on the final bend, flew home over the concluding 300m, Ray Dawson in the saddle for Ahmad Bin Harmash and owner Hamdan Sultan Ali Alsabousi.

A5yogeldedsonofnonayneverhewaswinning for the first time since making a successful debut over 1400m at Jebel Ali on the equivalent Friday last year. This was his seventh start since with three second placings among the previous six efforts.

A 2yo maiden, over 1400m, was contested by a field of 15 but Pat Cosgrave always looked happy ater taking up the running ater about 175m, sending debutant Royal Dubai clear halfway up the straight, the pair soon with the race in safekeeping.

A Seahenge colt, he was just a third UAE winner for owner Saeed Sultan Al Rahoomi and could well prove a value acquisition having cost 46,000gns at Tatersalls at the end of April.

A rare Purebred Arabian opportunity at the UAE’S flagship racecourse, the 1900m Group 2 Madjani Stakes kicked off proceedings and was dominated by the classy Kerless Del Roc, probably never headed under Fernando Jara in the silks of Al Ajban Stables for trainer Ahmed Al Mehairbi.