Trainer Doug Watson maintained his dominance at the Jebel Ali racecourse when he saddled Burnt Ember to win the prestigious Jebel Ali Mile [Listed] yesterday.
Burnt Ember also notched his third success at the popular weekend venue.
Jockey Willie Supple was content to track the front running Distant Connection, ridden out strongly by ace jockey Frankie Dettori, till the three furlong mark.
When Distant Connection ran out of gas Burnt Ember hit the front only to be passed briefly by 2004 Jebel Ali Mile winner Conflict. But Supple's mount had more to offer as the nine-year-old Conflict began to tire and he regained the lead never to lose it again.
Burnt Ember came home five and a quarter lengths clear of Conflict to supply Watson with his 12th success of the season at Jebel Ali, and 34th overall. Watson went on to claim a double when Cotosol won the concluding race of the afternoon, a 1950 metre handicap sponsored by Romeo Designs.
The two wins put Watson two clear of his nearest rival Mazin Al Kurdi at the top of the trainer's championship. After the race Watson said, "He stayed really well up the hill, he has good stamina and is really a mile and a quarter horse.
"He shows a good turn of speed here compared to Nad al Sheba."
Al Kurdi ensured his kept pace with Watson by helping himself to a double as well with Blazing Ability, the winner of a mile race and with Hazelhatch who claimed a 1400 metre contest for his third success of the season.
Blazing Ability, ridden by Durcan, was notching back-to-back wins at Jebel Ali.
The six-year-old son of El Prado took the lead approaching the final furlong and held on to win by half a length from the fast finishing Mbosi, ridden by Tadhg O'Shea for former UAE champion trainer Erwan Charpy. Durcan was also aboard Hazelhatch who dug deep to deny Better Mix, ridden by Stanley Chin, with Supple and Muwassi a head behind in third place.
Satish Seemar, also a former champion trainer in the UAE, landed his 17th win of the season when Outside Centre left his rivals for dead to win the 1800 metre handicap. Ridden by Ryan Moore Outside Centre came home nine and a half lengths clear of pack.
High flier
- Four-time UAE champion jockey Ted Durcan consolidated his position at the top of the championship table with a three-timer yesterday. The Irish rider took his season's tally to 31, four clear of fellow Irishman Willie Supple, also a former champion.
- It has taken quite a while but Outside Centre, a six-year-old by 1997 Epsom Derby winner Benny The Dip, finally scored his first career success yesterday.
Results:
1st race. Al Shafar Group of Companies. Purebred Arabians 4yo+ rated 40-65 1,600m (Dirt):
1. Transonic (Jaci Wickham) J Carroll; 2. Murhib (D Watson) T Durcan; 3. Sadeem (J Frazier Jr) W Hollick.; 4. Hindy De Faust (E Charpy) P Smullen
Distances: 1.25 length, 4.5, 0.75.
Time: 1m 49.64s
2nd race. Gems. Thoroughbreds 3yo+ rated 35-65 1,600m (Dirt):
1. Blazing Ability (M Al Kurdi) T Durcan; 2. Mbosi (E Charpy) T O'Shea; 3. Raysoot (D Selvaratnam) K Manning; 4. Saint Malo (D Watson) W Supple
Distances: 0.5lengths, 5.25, 4.25
Time: 1m 37.85s
3rd. Jebel Ali Mile (Listed) Sponsored by Shadwell Farm. Thoroughbreds 3yo+ 1,600m (Dirt):
1. Burnt Ember (D Watson.) W Supple 2. Conflict (M Al Kurdi) R Mullen; 3. State Shinto (M Al Kurdi) D O'Donohoe. 4. Cherry Pickings (M Al Kurdi ) T Durcan
Distances: 5.25lengths, 1.25, 1.75
Time: 1m 38.07s
4th race. Al Shafar Investment. Thoroughbreds 3yo+ rated 55-85 1,400m (Dirt):
1. Hazelhatch (M Al Kurdi) T Durcan; 2. Better Mix (M Al Muhairi) S Chin; 3. Muwassi (E Charpy) W Supple. 4. Dubai Squire (D Watson) M Hussey
Distances: 0.5lengths, Neck, 0.5
Time: 1m 25.33s
5th race. Ascana. Thoroughbreds 3yo+ Maiden 1,800m (Dirt):
1. Outside Centre (S Seemar) R Moore; 2. Secret Plot (D Watson) P Dobbs; 3. Lewa Dance (E Charpy) T O'Shea. 4. Vanishing Act (A R Al Raihe) D Mernagh
Distances: 9.5lengths, 1.75, 1.75
Time: 1m 51.42s
6th race. Romeo Designs Thoroughbreds 3yo+ rated 65-90 1,400m (Dirt):
1. Cotosol (D Watson) T Durcan; 2. Janadel (D Watson) W Supple; 3. Dolbear (A Selvaratnam) G Hind; 4. Dawn Piper (D Watson) G Birrer
Distances: 3lengths, 3.75, 0.75
Time: 1m 59.15s.
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