Snaafy was the ultra impressive winner of the Listed Jebel Ali Mile, posting a clear-cut success under Richard Hills to the delight of trainer Musabah Al Muhairi, who also saddled runner-up Atlantic Brave.
It was a clear success for Snaafy, though, who was always tracking the speed before quickening clear 300m out to win going away.
A winner on turf at Meydan last year, his very best form has been achieved on dirt but it will be back to Meydan and the Carnival now.
Hills said: “He loves the dirt but this is the only race for him here at Jebel Ali. He does not seem the same horse on Tapeta so I guess we will have to go back to turf.
“We know he handles the grass and hopefully he can be competitive in some of the big races coming up.”
It was a double for the jockey who won the opening 1200m maiden on Serhaal for champion trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe whose team remain in great form.
Also in double form were ‘home trainer’ Dhruba Selvaratnam who rarely leaves the track empty-handed.
Kieren Fallon was in the saddle when course specialist Mannjal bounced back to winning ways in the concluding 1200m handicap, an hour after Dahteer won a 1400m handicap under the same jockey.
The two horses between them have chalked up 13 course victories between them, with Mannjal responsible for eight.
Fallon said: “Course form is always important here and these two certainly have plenty of it. Dahteer was a bit unlucky last time and it was nice to see Mannjal return to form.”
Lord Ego (Doug Watson/Pat Dobbs) earned a deserved victory after a string of placed efforts in a second 1400m handicap, while Submariner (Abdulla bin Huzaim/Carlos Sandoval) won the 1800m handicap.
By Peter Ward
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