Hamares storms to win in Al Ain

al ain — Al Ain Racecourse staged its first meeting of the fledgling season on Friday afternoon when the featured 1600m handicap was won in dramatic fashion by Hamares.

Homebred by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy prime minister and minister of presidential affairs, and trained by Majed Al Jahouri, Hamares appeared to hold little chance at halfway but his jockey, Royston Ffrench, is not one to concede defeat.

He demanded a response from his mount, rousting him along on the far turn and, on the long home straight, was rewarded with Hamares flashing home in the final 100m to lead close home and snatch an unlikely victory. “He really picked up nicely when it mattered,” said Ffrench. “We know he stays further so hoped he would be staying on late and that is exactly what happened.”

Thirty minutes earlier, the 1600m handicap had been won impressively by Sauternes Al Maury under Dane O’Neill.

Trained by Doug Watson for Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, Sauternes Al Maury looked a horse to follow when making a winning debut over 1400m at Al Ain in January.

However, stepped up to 1800m for his only subsequent start, also at Al Ain, he was well beaten on that occasion but certainly bounced back here.

“He is a horse we have always liked,” said O’Neill. “I did not ride him in his races last season but have ridden work on him so know he is a nice horse.

“We have put a visor on him to tonight and he has responded very well to win nicely. I am not sure how good he is but the potential is there and he is an interesting prospect going forward.”