Apprentice Harry Bentley has made a real impression since arriving in the UAE at the start of the season and registered his biggest career win to date in the Listed HH The President’s Cup.
Apprentice Harry Bentley has made a real impression since arriving in the UAE at the start of the season and registered his biggest career win to date in the Listed HH The President’s Cup.
The 7f feature at Abu Dhabi was a memorable one for trainer Satish Seemar, who not only saddled Bentley’s mount McCartney, but also fast finishing runner-up Escape Route.
However, McCartney and Bentley were clear a furlong out and never looked in danger with Bentley explaining: “The gap appeared when I needed it, so I sent him for home and he ran on well. His best UK form was very good and hopefully there is more to come from him and he can be competitive at the Carnival.”
Jockey Kieren Fallon and trainer Philippe Barbe combined to win the two main support races, both for 3yo Purebred Arabians.
Frynchman completed the double in the Listed Abu Dhabi Championship over a mile, flying home to collar Aqmaar close home.
With Masharref in third, it was an exact repeat of the result when the trio met in a maiden in November over the same course and distance.
In contrast, Fallon made virtually all on Burkan Al Asayl in the Abu Dhabi Colts’ Classic, also over a mile but confined to those foaled in the UAE. Fallon was content to let his charge coast into the straight before the pair quickened clear to win well.
Fallon said: “Burkan Al Asayl jumped quickly and was always happy out in front. The others tried to get to him but he has picked up well without much assistance from me.
“Frynchman was a bit harder work and they went quite quick. I had to ask him to race at halfway, but he really quickened close home and won going away. They are two nice youngsters.”
Both winners carry the colours of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and are now unbeaten after two starts.
With hot Pick Six favourite Haneen refusing to load in the concluding 7f conditions race, it was AF Raad who was able to take advantage for trainer Karim Aga with Rory Cleary in the saddle.
The opening 1m maiden went to the Julio Peromingo-trained Limeted Edition under Wayne Smith, while Dubai was a winner in the Capital. Trained by Bakhit Al Ketbi, Dubai was ridden to victory by Chris Taylor.
By Peter Ward
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