Sheikh Hamdan and his jockey, Paul Hanagan continued their great weekend by landing the featured Group 1 Liwa Oasis at Abu Dhabi on Sunday night.
Having combined to win the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on Thursday at Meydan, they won both the big sprints on Super Saturday with horses trained by Musabah Al Muhairi. And it was Al Muhairi who saddled AF Mathmoon to record his fifth win, from just six starts, in the 1400m Liwa Oasis.
If Hanagan had one moment of concern, it was on the home turn but they soon put the race to bed in the straight.
Hanagan explained: “His last two starts were left-handed at Meydan and he just seemed to lose his way momentarily. Once in the straight he always had things under control and he is going to be a very nice horse.”
Al Muhairi completed a double with Fernando Jara making all on Love To Dance in the concluding 1200m handicap. He may not be straightforward but the Helal Al Alawi-trained Sniper De Monlau is undoubtedly talented as he showed in winning the 2400m Group 3 Arabian Triple Crown Round 3, restricted to 4yos.
Ridden by Royston Ffrench, he led right on the line, to deny Mahbooba who had just held off his late challenge in the 2200m second round two weeks ago.
The problem faced by Ffrench is the tendency of his mount to drift to the standside rail, forfeiting ground, in the straight. It cost him victory last time, but not this and Ffrench explained: “He is a very good horse but he insists on heading left once he enters the straight.
“There is no point fighting him as we would just waste more ground if I tried to straighten him out. Luckily, his ability has seen us home.”
Richard Mullen always looked confident on Dhamin, who was making his local debut, in a 1600m conditions race and his positive demeanour was vindicated with a smooth success. It was a first career win for the horse, on his seventh start and a maiden UAE victory for trainer Jean de Roualle.
Mullen said: “He is a nice young horse but the trip was a concern as he only just stays this trip. I just waited as long as I could before challenging.”
Mullen completed a double, winning the only Thoroughbred race, a 1400m handicap on the Satish Seemar-trained Cross Grain.
The meeting opened with a 1400m maiden with Pat Dobbs and Saifaldin Deeb combining to land the spoils with Ramada Al Rawasi.
Having his fifth outing, he was far too good for 15 rivals and Dobbs said: “It was a good performance and he ran on well so should stay further.”
The 1000m handicap was won by AF Maqayes with Tadhg O’Shea riding for Ali Rashid Al Raihe.