Fresu Flies in for Jet-propelled El Nasseeb

Fresu Flies in for Jet-propelled El Nasseeb

Group 1 winning jockey Antonio Fresu is based in California these days, but he still rides Meydan Racecourse as well as ever. The Italian guided El Nasseeb to victory in the Listed Al Garhoud Sprint [sponsored by Al Tayer], the feature race on Friday’s Dubai Racing Carnival card.

In truth, El Nasseeb (pictured) probably didn’t need much guiding. Musabbeh Al Mheiri’s four-year-old faced a hot field, including G1 winner Dark Saffron and multiple G3 winner Mufasa, but was able to settle just behind a pace battle and pounce when the leaders began to tire. He unleashed his effort at the 400metre marker, led inside the final 200 and powered clear for a three and a half length win over Colour Up.

“When races go like this I don’t mind taking dirt,” said a kickback-spattered Fresu, who was stable jockey to Al Mheiri prior to moving to the US two years ago. “I watched all his races and he goes really well fresh but doesn’t have the early speed against those super-fast horses.

“I tried to save some ground around the turn and tip him out when he was ready. As soon as he switched his lead he found another gear and he finished up really nicely. I think he’s a really nice horse, so let’s see what the future holds for him.”

Crisfords Off The Mark

Father and son training duo Simon and Ed Crisford collected their first win of the season thanks to a gritty display from Telemark in the 1400metre Ford Handicap.

The Night Of Thunder gelding was having his first run on dirt but got there when it mattered, beating longtime leader Khanjar by a quarter of a length, in the hands of William Buick.

“He took a lot of kickback early and I was worried the leaders would get away, but credit to the horse, he stayed with them,” said Ed Crisford. “He didn’t have the cleanest run in the straight, but when he got out you could see him motoring.

“It’s his first run on the dirt, so I’m very pleased. He’s a tough little horse and he battled well.”

Trebles All Round for O’Shea and Seemar

A winner on debut, Union Security was well fancied to defy a penalty in the opening Lincoln Aviator two-year-old Conditions race but never traveled with the same fluency. The win went to Six Speed, third behind him last time, who traveled up with the leader Miss Yechance throughout and cleared away from that rival by a length and three-quarters at the line. Tadhg O’Shea was onboard the son of Not This Time for trainer Bhupat Seemar.

“He’s been training really well but in his first race he fluffed the start and then ran out of gas,” said Seemar. “This time he was well schooled, and the gate crew has done a great job.

“His homework was so good that we expected him to run better first time out, but he’s put it to bed this time with a bit more experience.

“He does have a lot of speed – that’s why he’s called Six Speed – but hopefully his stamina can at least stretch to the [UAE 2000] Guineas.”

O’Shea and Seemar collected a quick double when Lino Padrino ran out the impressive debut winner of race two, the Lincoln Maiden, over 1400metres.

Charlie Appleby’s Ruler Of Time was sent off the hot favourite but never quite handled things as Lino Padrino cruised to a four-length victory over the fast-closing Awesome Fleet.

“He trialed well but was slow away in the trial and it was the same tonight,” said O’Shea. “I kept him wide to the 800metres, then he really jumped out at the 600metres, then it was just hands and heels riding.

“I’ve said all along you won’t see the best of him until he goes two turns. I’ll leave it to the trainer but maybe he will work back from the UAE Derby and take in an Al Bastakiya en route.”

Two soon became three for Seemar and O’Shea when their new recruit Welcome Dream battled home in the 1200metre Ford Mustang Handicap.

Previously trained by Doug Watson, Welcome Dream was quickly across from his wide draw in 11 and led all the way, pulling out more when Sir Harmony challenged in the straight. He then had just enough left to hold off Don Pacifico, who rattled home for an eye-catching second, just missing out by a head.

“Tadhg was moaning about all the bad draws but now it’s fallen into place he’ll be a happier jockey!” said Seemar.

“There’s a lot of teamwork in place and thanks to Sheikh Abdul Aziz [bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, owner] for sending me the horse. I thought he was a bit short [of fitness] tonight, as he had a little niggle when he came in, so hopefully there’s some improvement left.”

Two On The Bounce for Norato

Seemar and O’Shea were denied a four-timer in the Ford Mach-E Handicap when Norato just got there just in time to deny their Gray Boss in a thrilling finish.

It was two in a row for Julio Olascoaga’s grey, who arrived with big powerful strides to deny Gray Boss and Military Artist by half a length and two lengths, under Silvestre De Sousa.

“He’s a horse who has improved since his last run and we thought he had a good chance, said the reigning UAE Champion Jockey. “I felt he was a bit fitter and the tempo of the race was hotter than last time. He gets a mile well and could go further.”

Book Review likes nothing more than being able to dominate a race and Salem bin Ghadayer’s reliable eight-year-old did just that in the penultimate Lincoln Navigator Handicap, over 2000metres.

Ridden by Bernardo Pinheiro, he bounced straight into the lead and was never really challenged, winning by two lengths from Moon Blade.

“He’s a lovely old horse, he’s won a lot of races here,” said Pinheiro after the gelding’s fifth course success. “It’s spectacular how Salem and the team keep him fresh. Last time he went very hard in front, but today he found a softer lead which is what he needs.”  

The closing 1600metre Ford Expedition Maiden went to the Ahmad bin Harmash-trained Honest Moon who grabbed a good position just behind the pace and took control in the straight. Ridden by Saif Al Balushi, the Listed Al Bastakiya third registered a convincing four and a quarter length win over leader Elusive Trevor.

Meydan races next in seven days’ time, on Friday 12 December, when the G2 Madjani Stakes is the feature.