Nizora pips AF Makerah on the line

al ain — Nizora, ridden by Pat Cosgrave, pipped AF Makerah on the line to claim the Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup For Private Owners Only race at the Al Ain race course on Saturday.

It was a ‘nail-biting’ finish to the 1600-metre handicap in which Silvestre de Sousa and AF Makerah cruised to the front 400 metres out with, seemingly, their nine rivals all beaten. However, Cosgrave managed to produce a determined late challenge from Nizora and they gradually eroded the advantage throughout the final 200 metres.

It was soon obvious it would be a case of when the line arrived and, when it did, it was a stride too late for AF Makerah who was snared right on the post by Cosgrave’s mount which was saddled by UAE trainer Helal Al Alawi.

AF Tathoor under Antonio Frescu finished third with both second and third placed runners coming from Ernst Oertel’s yard.

The Helal Al Alawi-trained Nizora is owned by the Byerley Team and it was a first career win at just the fourth attempt. Nizora was denied close home in a maiden under Cosgrave over the same course and distance in his previous start three weeks ago.

Al Alawi said: “He ran very well last time and was caught close home. That was his first start on dirt and he ran well on turf the first time so is versatile. We were pretty confident coming here today. Pat has given him a great ride and hopefully this horse is improving.”

Meanwhile, following the death of Her Highness Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan, the mother of UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the race meeting scheduled on January 28 in Abu Dhabi has been postponed.