Triple treat for trainer Harmash at Jebel Ali Racecourse

dubai — The featured 1,800m conditions race at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday afternoon was won in style by Sharpalo, one of three winners on the card for trainer Ahmad bin Harmash.

Unraced in the UAE before this season, having won once in France, Sharpalo was fourth at Meydan Racecourse before an excellent second to Insaany, over this 1,800m course and distance, a fortnight ago.

This looked a tougher task on paper but, given a confident ride by Antonio Fresu, he looked to have matters under control after hitting the front fully 600m from home.

Those in behind soon looked in trouble and none were able to throw down a telling challenge.

“He ran very well last time and has improved for each run,” said Bin Harmash. “This was a very good performance in what looked a strong race and hopefully he can progress again.” For the trainer it was a quick double after the victory of Tides Rise in a 1,600m handicap under an unexpected jockey: Paolo Sirgu was about to go home after his UAE career begun with a late withdrawal of intended mount, Hundred Steps, in the opening 1,400m handicap but was given a late call to ride Tides Rise.

He took full advantage of the opportunity and was able to drive his mount to a narrow success in a three way photo making his second local mount a winning one.

“The right place at the right time,” joked Sirgu. “I was packing up to leave and suddenly this spare ride became available. The trainer told me he was a straightforward, game battling type of horse and he proved that in a very close finish.”

The trainer wasted little time in making it three consecutive victories on the card with the impressive winning debut of Al Barez, the only two-year-old in the field for a 1,400m maiden.

Dane O’Neill, retained jockey for the winner’s owner, Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance,did not panic when the youngster was slowly into stride and the pair were quickly travelling nicely in midfield.

Shortly after halfway, O’Neill asked his mount to challenge and the response, although not electric, was telling and they hit the front 200m from home and won in style.

“He travelled pretty well but was a bit green,” said O’Neill. “He is a very willing little horse with a great attitude. I am not sure where he will go next but he has started his career in great fashion.”

Owner and jockey then doubled up with the smooth victory of Mushir in what had appeared an ultra competitive 1200m handicap.