Watson mare scoops Al Ain Marathon Series in style

Al Ain staged the third round of the Al Ain Marathon Series on Saturday, a 5100m prestige handicap and Al Mahbooba, trained by Doug Watson, completed an unprecedented treble by becoming the winner of all three legs.

The comfortable winner of the first round, over 3200m, under Sam Hitchcott, she and Pat Dobbs then turned the second leg into a rout.

Dobbs was again in the saddle on this occasion and exuded confidence throughout, only asking the 7yo mare to get competitive entering the long straight and taking complete control over the final 275m.

The meeting kicked off with a 2000m maiden which was turned into a procession by Faaris who was in total control from a long way out, Bernardo Pinheiro, who is finishing the season in flying form, in the saddle for Majed Al Jahoori aboard Yas Racing’s homebred 4yo colt.

For horses foaled in the UAE, a maiden over 1800m proved a fairly straightforward assignment for Najih, pretty much always in pole position under Ray Dawson for Al Reef Stables and Jaber Bitter.

Dawson has made a massive impact since arriving in the UAE and completed a double, this time combining with Ibtahim Al Hadhrami to land a handicap over 1800m for Ali Hadadd with Minwer.

The 1800m maiden for fillies and mares foaled locally was won in determined fashion by Grattis, the 5yo mare opening her account at the ninth attempt, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi in the saddle for Al Reef Stables and completing a double for trainer Bittar.

The only Thoroughbred race on the card, a 1600m maiden, went to Maputo, opening his account at just the fourth attempt, Jose Da Silva in the saddle for the first time for Al Rashid Stables and Bhupat Seemar.

For horses in private ownership, a 1000m handicap was seemingly dominated from the outset by Faaris, Bernardo Pinheiro in the saddle for Majed Al Jahoori aboard the local and dirt debutant, homebred by Yas Racing.