Jutland fights back to win big race

Jutland, ridden by Patrick Dobbs, winning the 1900m Jebel Ali Stakes race on Friday. — Photo by Mukesh Kamal/ Khaleej Times

Dubai — Jutland fought back very strongly under Patrick Dobbs to lead by a neck on the line in front of fast improving Mawhub, ridden by Richard Mullen, in the 1950m TB Jebel Ali Stakes ‘Listed’ the highlight of the 7^th meeting at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday afternoon.

“When I saw Mawhub coming to my horse to take the lead at midway, I was confident that Jutland could fight back and this what has happened,” said a delighted trainer Doug Watson who looks after the winner on behalf of the owner Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, at the Red Stables.

Zabeel Stables handler Satish Seemar said: “Now, at least we came to know the exact distance of Mawhub and he may return to the mile trip in the Jebel Ali Mile in a couple of weeks.”

Public favourite Silver Galaxy, ridden by Silvestre De Sousa, came up with a late run to take third after a slow start and trainer Musabah Al Muhairi said: “The horse has lost his shoe. And I think the wide draw (10) did not help his campaign given the fast break by Jutland who showed the way from the stall one.” 

Former champion jockey Oscar Urbina steered Jayed Jidan to a stunning victory in the 1600m Jebel Ali Mile Prep ‘Rated Conditions 85+’, the second feature of the afternoon.

“This is my first win in the UAE,” Urbina said. It was also the first success of the season for his boss Rashed Bouresly, the trainer and owner of the winning horse. The five-year-old son of Jeofilo came from Ireland with two wins from eight starts and disappointed when finishing poor fifth to Muaanid in a handicap event at Meydan.

“He relished the hilly track and he always impressed me,” the jockey added. “I think there’s more to come from him on this ground and could improve on his first run up the hill,” he said.

Zain Shamardal, ridden by Royston Ffrench, chased the winner home and top weight Kolmar Kid was more than two lengths back in third under James Doyle.

Dig Dagon has dug deep in the hands of Richard Mullen to prevail over fast finishing Dare’a Al Jazeera and Fatat Al Arab in a tight finish at the busy end in the 1600m Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Emirates Breeders Society Challenge PA UAE-Bred Conditions, the opening event on the card.

Silvestre De Sousa made his mark after the Latin American rode Art Wave to victory in the 1400m TB Handicap, the fourth race of the afternoon to finish ahead of favourite Momaris and his earlier conqueror Ostaad.

Mushaakis opened a ten lengths gap before being eased close home to win the 1400m TB Handicap, the fifth race on the card for trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe in the silks of Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance.

The final race, a 1200m TB Handicap, was won by Richard Mullen onboard Al Razi to lead a 1-2 finish for his boss Satish Seemar after Spin Cycle finished second and behind them came Ajraam. Mullen completed a double as he had also won the opening race early in the afternoon.