Shamikh fights for ‘family’ honour in stylish Smullen tribute triumph

There couldn’t have been a more popular winner than Shamikh with Ryan Curatolo astride -- competing in the colours of racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum -- who registered a poignant victory in the 1600m Pat Smullen Condition Stakes, the official highlight of a six-race card at Jebel Ali on Friday.

A former stable jockey at the adjacent Jebel Ali Stables, where Shamikh is trained by Nicholas Bachalard, and a multiple champion in his native Ireland, this race in Pat Smullen’s honour was sponsored by Jebel Ali Racecourse.

A Lea colt, Shamikh was always travelling well under Curatolo who afforded himself the luxury of looking behind for any likely late challengers before setting sail for home passing the 200m pole. There were none and they won comfortably, a third career success for the horse, all at Jebel Ali, from just four starts.

Bachalard said: “It means a lot to all of us, from Sheikh Ahmed throughout the whole Jebel Ali family to win this Pat Smullen race.

“This is a really nice horse who did not seem to like Meydan, but has now won all three starts here, a track he does enjoy and we now know the 1600m also suits him.” Curatolo added: “Pat Smullen was a great jockey and I am delighted to win this for Sheikh Ahmed and everybody involved.

“This is a very smart horse and is improving all the time. Hopefully he has a big future.”

The main support race, a similar conditions contest, but over 1400m for 3-year-olds, attracted a field of just five and it provided the perfect opportunity for Uncle Hamed to get off the mark at the fifth attempt. Representing the same connections as Thursday’s Group 3 Al Shindgaha Sprint winner, the 3-year-old Tapiture gelding had to dig deep for Pat Dobbs, sporting the silks of Abdul Mohsen Al Abdul Kareem for Doug Watson.

Victory appeared unlikely at halfway when Rare Ninja swept past No Limits to take up the running before the latter regained the initiative with about 300m remaining. Dobbs’ mount, who had tracked the early lead before dropping back, started to make good progress and always looked likely to get his head in front as he challenged No Limits in the final 100m.

The curtain came down on proceedings after the longest race on the card, a 1950m handicap and, just as they had done at Meydan the previous evening, Watson and Dobbs combined to land the finale to complete doubles with Pharoah King landing the spoils stylishly.

A 4-year-old gelded son of American Pharoah having just his fifth start, he was doubling his career tally and is unbeaten for Watson, having made a successful local debut in a 2000m handicap at Al Ain, his first racecourse appearance in the silks of Ali A Aneizi. Dobbs always looked confident, biding his time behind Book Review before ghosting past that rival, who plugged on gamely for second, inside the final 400m and powering home up the steep final incline.

A capacity field of 16 faced the starter in the curtain raiser, a 1400m handicap. Shanaghai City was probably never headed among those racing on the nearside rail, but was denied victory in the final 200m by Tadhg O’Shea and Karaginsky.

The sprinters had their turn in a 1000m handicap and Rashed Bouresly, out of luck with Shanaghai City when he also saddled the third, Shanty Star, went one better with You’re My Rock, ridden by Fabrice Veron and chased home by stable companion Davy Lamp to give the Kuwaiti handler a notable 1-2 in another full field of 16.

The Bouresly duo were among those sticking to the rail nearest the grandstand and had the race to themselves approaching the final 200m when the challenge of Wufud faltered. He was denied third place by the fast finishing local debutant Royal Appointment.

A 4-year-old Rock Of Gibraltar colt, Veron’s mount was actually shedding his maiden tag at the seventh attempt and third for current connections, all at Jebel Ali. Fifth, over 1000m, on his local debut, he was then second, albeit beaten just over nine lengths, in a 1200m conditions race 63 days ago.

Lahmoom and Royston Ffrench made every post a winning one in a 1600m handicap for Salem bin Ghadayer and the Alqemmah Racing Team. Unraced outside the UAE, the 5-year-old gelded son of Exchange Rate was doubling his winning haul in the process, on career start 14, having landed a 1000m Al Ain handicap at the end of October. He saw off numerous challengers in the early part of the straight before going clear 450m out and staying on resolutely.