Abu Dhabi: Britain’s champion apprentice Oisin Murphy wasted no time in doubling his UAE win tally on Sunday with a National Day Cup Prep victory at Abu Dhabi.
Murphy won on Momaris at Jebel Ali on Friday and followed up with the success aboard Master of War in Sunday’s 1600m highlight. Held up in the rear of the main group, Murphy’s mount made smooth progress 400m out, as the runners turned for home, but took a long while to ground down Naawaar, winner of last season’s National Day and HH The President’s Cup at Abu Dhabi.
“We have to be delighted with that,” said Selvaratnam. “We really thought he would need that run so it is a great result and it was a very good ride from Oisin.
“We will obviously have to look at the National Day Cup and hopefully he will be a Dubai World Cup Carnival horse next year, especially on the turf.”
Local apprentice Saeed Al Mazroui produced a very polished display aboard Shateh to win the Purebred Arabian equivalent, also over 1600m. Having only his second start in the UAE, Shateh and his young jockey were well away and always at the head of affairs, the pair kicking clear 400m out as the field turned towards the judge.
That proved to be the decisive moment and they always looked likely to hold the late challenge of Marzooq. Both are trained by Majid Al Jahouri for Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs.
Al Jahouri said: “We had an amazing season last time and things have started well this time. Saeed gave the winner a great ride and both horses are nice new recruits from France having just their second starts locally.”
The meeting opened with a 1600m maiden, won in style by Haanoof, ridden by Pat Dobbs for trainer Yousuf Al Beloushi. Haanoof is owned by Shaikh Mansour.
Never far off the pace, Dobbs eased his mount to the front as the runners turned for home, soon putting daylight between themselves and 15 toiling rivals. It was a first winner of the season for the trainer.
Dobbs said: “This was a massive drop in class for the filly and she has won very nicely. I was always very confident and hopefully she can build on this win.”
