Sharjah: Zaffaan, in the safe pair of hands of Dubai World Cup winning jockey Silvestre De Sousa, landed the Al Alem Fe Kora Purebred Arabian Handicap, the feature race of the afternoon at the Sharjah Equestrian Club on Saturday.

The pair were comfortable winners over former track scorer Swyft, the mount of apprentice Daniel Muscutt, while Murooj could only finish third under Roytson Ffrench.

De Sousa, who is stable jockey to Musabah Al Muhairi, said: “They went very quickly in the first half of the race. That has really helped me as we know this horse stays well as he has won over course and distance before, as well as being placed over 2000m.

“As we entered the final bend I could see the leaders were coming back to me and we were still going nicely. It was fairly straight forward in the end.”

In form handler Doug Watson mainted his winning momentum when saddling Diwaan to land the Time Out Handicap.

A course and distance handicap winner on his previous outing two weeks ago Diwaan finished a good seven-lengths clear of Citizen’s Charter, ridden by Noel Garbutt for former champion trainer Erwan Charpy.

“I was always going well,” said winning jockey Pat Dobbs. “I was happy sat just off the speed and knew he would run all the way to the line so went for home at the top of the straight.

“He quickened nicely and put the race to bed in a few strides.”

Racing opened with a 1200m maiden and AR Bint Al Arab made virtually every yard of the running under Royston Ffrench to provide trainer Helel Al Alawi with a sixth success of the season.

“She clearly likes it here,” said Ffrench. “I was always at the head of affairs and she battled when challenged. It may not have been a great race but she won well.”

Afaal, ridden by Daniel Muscutt, swooped late to win the 1200m Al Khat Al Reyadhi Conditions event.

“We did not get the best of breaks,” said Muscutt. “They went pretty quick and she really responded well in the final 300m. She won a 1000m maiden here on debut so we knew the surface suits her.

“That was only her third career start and hopefully she will keep improving.”

Oisin Murphy produced a good riding performance aboard the Jaci Wickham-trained Ma’Error W’Rsan to deny Es Zeriyab, the mount of Emirati apprentice Saeed Al Marzouie in the Hattrick Handicap.

“We were drawn high and forced to race quite wide a lot of the way,” said Murphy. “We know he stays well and he has put his head in front where it matters. This is his second win here at Sharjah.”