Octave wins marathon series finale; Mullen rides 500th UAE winner

Racing at Al Ain on Friday was highlighted by the final leg of the Al Ain Marathon Series, a 5100m handicap afforded Prestige status. The race turned into a procession by Octave, who was sent straight to the front by an inspired Bernardo Pinheiro and, apart from when joined briefly by 2018 winner Ajjaj with a circuit remaining, did not see another rival.

Hugging the inside rail throughout, Pinheiro’s mount was clear after about 400m before seemingly given a breather by his jockey before setting out positively on the final circuit, soon clear again. As the field turned for home, it soon became apparent the race was Octave’s unless his stamina failed, which it certainly did not, the 5-year-old entire doubling his career tally in the process. His only previous success was actually registered on this weekend last year, over 2200m on the Abu Dhabi turf in another Prestige race, the UAE Arabian Derby.

Owned by Al Ajban Stables, he is trained by Abdallah Al Hammadi, who has now won the race on four occasions since its 2015 inauguration, thrice with Balad Al Reef, who was a distant fourth this time.

Hammadi said: “We thought we had god chances with four runners and that was an excellent ride from Bernardo. To get first and second is very pleasing.”

Pinheiro added: “The plan was to be positive and I was always going very well. I managed to give him a breather and then he has just galloped on resolutely. That was a very good staying performance and stamina is clearly his forte.”

The main support race, also a prestigious contest but restricted to 4-year-olds foaled in the UAE, was the 1800m Al Ain Derby and the prize stayed at home with Musheer Al Wathba, trained on the track by Jean de Roualle and who provided Richard Mullen with his 500th UAE winner, completing a double on the card for himself and owner Yas Racing.

Settled in midfield, the homebred colt crept into contention in the straight before striking for home with just over 225m remaining after which they never looked likely to be caught. The exciting colt has now won half his four career starts and is unbeaten on dirt having won a 1600m maiden here at Al Ain on his local debut and second career outing at the beginning of January.

“His last piece of work was very good,” De Roualle said. “He is only going to improve because he is still a big baby and has a lot to learn because he is very immature which is why we put cheekpieces on.

“I am very pleased with him and actually think this is going to be a better horse on the turf at Abu Dhabi but he will not run again this season.”

Mullen added: “I am overwhelmed and to bring up the 500 in the Yas Racing colours in a big race is the perfect scenario. We knew he had a good chance and credit to Jean and his team who have done such a great job with this horse.”

The only Thoroughbred race was a 2600m handicap and won comfortably by Cinq Rules under Jesus Rosales, the pair hitting the front entering the home straight before staying on strongly and always holding the late challenge of Blue Sovereign.

An 8-year-old Mastercraftsman gelding, he was posting his second career success but first locally having previously won in France way back in April 2015. Now in the care of Khalifa Al Mazrouei, celebrating his very first winner, it was also a maiden success for owner Nadia Solomon.

The love affair of Jayide Al Boraq with Al Ain continued with the 6-year-old entire leading in the final 200m to post a relatively comfortable success in a 1000m handicap, in doing so making it five wins from just six visits to the track, commencing with a debut victory over 1600m in a maiden on this card last year.

Ridden for the first time by apprentice Joanna Grzybowska, enjoying a belated first winner of the season, they were slowly away but soon chasing the leaders before hitting the front and staying on strongly with the race soon in safekeeping.

Owned by Al Rahmani Racing, he has been a revelation for trainer Khalifa Al Neyadi.

Restricted to horses in private ownership, the opening 1800m handicap went to Dream De Montjoi, originally a reserve but who took full advantage of his place among the 15 runners, leading early in the straight under Sandro Paiva and clinging on grimly to deny the persistent challenge of Alsaeid, the pair locked in a thrilling duel throughout the final 300m.

Trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri for Nasir Askar, the 7-year-old gelding, off the track for 363 days, was doubling his career tally in the process, his previous victory having been achieved in a 1200m maiden at Sharjah in November 2017.

Another race restricted to horses foaled locally, a 1400m maiden was won stylishly by Shammarah, trained locally by Helal Al Alawi for Yas Racing and opening his account at the seventh attempt.

Confidently ridden by Richard Mullen, the homebred 4-year-old filly tracked the early pace before Mullen drove her past eventual runner-up AF Sultan halfway up the straight after which they soon had victory assured.

A 1600m maiden was won stylishly by AF Barari who was probably never headed under Antonio Fresu, sporting the predominantly green silks of Khalfan Hamad Al Qubaisi for whom it was a first winner for three seasons and opening the seasonal account of trainer Yousif Bin Ghilan.

Having not finished in the first three in any of her ten previous racecourse appearances, the 6-year-old mare was tackling the longest distance she had faced to date and it clearly suited.