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Sholaan is the hero at Jebel Ali

Former champion Russian Rock handed his second straight defeat; Touch Gold triumphs.

Sholaan, ridden by James Doyle, powers to victory at the Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday. — KT photos by Grace Guino

Sholaan, ridden by James Doyle, emerged the new hero of the hilly track after the Invincible Spirit’s horse cruised to his second course and distance win in the 1000m TB Jebel Ali Sprint Prep Conditions, the feature of the ninth race-meeting at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday afternoon.

Former champion, Russian Rock (Musabah Al Muhairi/ Wayne Smith), a dual winner of this race as well as the main event, was handed his second straight defeat and dropped back to finish more than three lengths back in second place.

Spin Cycle (Satish Seemar/ Richard Mullen) who has won the main race in 2011 under Frankie Dettori, was a couple of lengths behind in third. And Sholaan has simply introduced himself as the emerging Super Power of his home track.

The smashing victory restored the glory days of Try Prospect and Ramp And Rave who have made the history of the Jebel Ali Sprint in the Yellow silks of the patron of the venue Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum alongside the Dhruba Selvaratnam-trained Mudallel. Mudallel and Ramp And Rave have both won the rebranded Dubai Golden Shaheen for Selvaratnam. And given this great performance, Sholaan is likely to join hands with stable companion United Color to represent the in-form stables in the two sprint events on the Dubai World Cup night. Sholaan is now rated at 111 and may probably lock horns against Muarrab in the dream final of the 1000m Jebel Ali Sprint (Listed) on March 21, the final race-meeting of the season at the popular course.

Touch Gold, ridden by Daniel Muscutt, made all to win from start to finish in the 1600m Derrinstown TB Handicap, the opening race on the card. Tiz Now Tiz Then sprinted home unchallenged in the 1600m Al Shafar Investment Handicap to lead by over seven lengths before being eased on the line. First Knight returned to the winning ways with a narrow victory to deny Gobooll (Dhruba Selvaratnam/ James Doyle) in a thrilling finish. The fifth race was won by Kanaf and Need To Know has just put his nose in front to win from early leader Enery.