Meydan Doubles for Bin Ghadayer and Seemar but Alalawi Lands Feature

Dubai (30 Jan, 2021) – Racing at Meydan on Saturday was highlighted by three quality handicaps, the official feature being the Gulf News, over 1600m on turf, in which turf debutant Mystery Land clearly relished the switch of surface, flying home under Pat Cosgrave to lead in the final 50m. 

Saddled by Helal Alalawi for Bandar Muwisan Al Otaibi, the 5-year-old gelded son of Sea The Stars did not see a racecourse until last March, making a victorious start to his career in a 1400m Jebel Ali maiden. He followed that with an easy success in a conditions race over the same course and distance before seemingly not handling conditions at Sharjah. His fourth and previous start was back over the Jebel Ali 1400m when never able to land a blow after a slow start. 

Settled almost last of the capacity field of 16, he was switched wide by Cosgrave departing the home turn with the pair making relentless progress throughout the final 400m to snatch victory from Al Salt and Trolius, another making ground from the back of the field. 

Alalawi said: “That is his first time on turf because he has not even worked on it and I have to credit my son because it was his idea. 

“We know he goes well at Jebel Ali, but we will stick to the turf now I think and look for another race here at Meydan.” 

The finale, also on turf, the agnc3, was a 1000m handicap and Satish Seemar completed a rapid double, combining with Harry Bentley who was never far off the speed aboard Moshaher, the pair well on top after hitting the front entering the final 200m.  

A 5-year-old gelded son of Goldencents, raced by H And B, this was actually his turf debut on just his seventh career outing and only second for Seemar following a lacklustre Meydan effort over 1400m a fortnight ago. Initially trained by Doug Watson, he actually made a winning start to his career, in a 1600m maiden for 3-year-olds at the beginning of January 2019. He then contested both the Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas and Listed Al Bastakiya before switching to Kiaran McLaughlin in the States, failing to beat a rival in two outings. The most recent of those was in October 2019, so his debut for Seemar had been his first run for 457 days. 

Bentley said: “He has actually done that in good style and showed plenty of dash, as well as a liking for turf. They went very quick, as you would expect, which has helped because we know he stays further. I was impressed.” 

The best of the dirt action, the gulfnews.com, a 1600m handicap, was won in thrilling fashion by Twelfthofneverland in similar style to Mystery Land in the previous race. Apprentice Nathan Crosse was nearer last than first on the winner on the home turn before conjuring up a withering run down the outside aboard the 5-year-old Istan entire, the pair supplementing their 2000m victory on the Meydan dirt on his previous start, a fortnight ago. Twice a winner in his native USA, the winner was having just his third start since joining Satish Seemar at Zabeel Stables in the ownership of Dakki Stable. 

Seemar said: “Nathan has done well after missing the break and did not panic. We were not sure dropping to 1600m would suit, but they went quick which has really helped. I would imagine we will go back to 2000m next time.” 

Just five went to post for the curtain raiser, the Tabloid, a 1600m maiden for 3-year-old fillies and only one really mattered with Mickael Barzalona going straight to the front on Jumeirah Beach, the pair staying there to win reasonably comfortably from a staying on Al Maroom. Trained by Salem bin Ghadayer for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the winner is a homebred daughter of Exceed And Excel and a half-sister to Group Three winner Dee Ex Bee, runner-up in the 2018 Epsom Derby. 

Well away on her fifth racecourse appearance, fourth locally and second this year, she always looked happy out in front under Barzalona and always appeared in control once sent for home with about 500m remaining.  

Bin Ghadayer said: “We have always liked this filly and are delighted to see her get her head in front. She has plenty of speed as we have seen in the past, but she stayed that longer trip well although that is probably far enough for the time being. We might go back to 1400m even.” 

REACH by Gulf News, a 2200m dirt handicap, was tuned into a procession by Book Review, completing doubles after just three races for Barzalona, Bin Ghadayer and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. As with their earlier winner, Barzalona was soon setting the fractions, always seemingly content out in front in an uncontested lead, before pressing the button early in the straight. 

The race was soon in safekeeping with nine rivals left toiling, One Vision running on to finish a distant second ahead of Meqdam with the track record smashed. A 4-year-old Dubawi gelding, he was actually shedding his maiden tag at the sixth attempt, third this year and for Bin Ghadayer after three outings in Britain for John Gosden, all in November 2019, finishing runner-up on debut over 1700m at Nottingham, the closest he had been to victory before this win. 

Barzalona said: “The team were expecting a good run today and he certainly has not disappointed. I was always happy out in front before he quickened and then stayed on strongly.” 

The Friday, a turf maiden over 1800m, was dominated by trainer Ali Rashid Al Rayhi who saddled three among the capacity field of 16, including Welcome Surprise who hit the front about 300m from home under Sandro Paiva in what appeared a decisive move. However, stable jockey Connor Beasley had other ideas and delivered stablemate Emirates Currency to snatch the initiative and prize in the final 50m. A 4-year-old Muhaarar colt, he was opening his account on his fourth start since returning to Al Rayhi, following two outings for Erwan Charpy early last year. Prior to that, he had raced thrice for Al Rayhi having had the same number of starts in Britain for Clive Cox. 

Beasley said: “Over 2000m last time he was too keen in blinkers so we took them off and put a noseband on to help him relax. It all worked perfectly. 

“He has actually won that quite nicely, but is a bit of a timid type, so we will look for more turf options because he is not going face the kickback on dirt.” 

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