Sheikh Hamdan’s Indicate dominates Al Wasl Club Cup at Jebel Ali Racecourse

Indicate, owned by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, claimed the Al Wasl Club Cup at the sixth meeting of Jebel Ali Racecourse on Saturday.

Under a tactical ride by Bernardo Pinheiro, the Salem Bin Ghadayer-trained gelding broke cleanly and settled into a powerful rhythm.

With a determined surge in the final stages, the son of Blue Point finished more than a length ahead of Doug Watson’s Rawy, while Michael Costa’s Turjman completed the podium in third.

“It was a great Al Wasl Race Day and a truly memorable event,” said Mohamed Al Ahmed, General Manager of Jebel Ali Racecourse.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Vice Chairman of the Al Wasl Club Board, Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Tunaiji, and all board members for their continued support of this meeting and for being with us on the day. “Special appreciation also goes to our partners and sponsors, Al Shafar Investment, Emirates NBD, and Porsche, whose support was instrumental in the success of the event.

“It was an exciting race day with different winners, a fantastic atmosphere, and a strong turnout of fans. Congratulations to all the winners and participants. We look forward to building on this success for future events,” he added.

Later on the card, Ghadayer and Pinheiro completed a double as Excel Power rolled back the years to deliver a commanding victory in the Al Awir Cup.

With Pinheiro in the irons, the son of Slade Power asserted control over the 1800-metre contest, using his trademark cruising speed. When asked to quicken, the eight-year-old responded decisively, crossing the line four lengths clear of Don Pelicano, trained by Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga, underlining his enduring class and authority.

Earlier in the day, Nam Phrix, trained by Cintra and Olascoaga, produced a determined performance to win the Daaeemm Incentive Stakes, travelling strongly under Francisco Leandro Goncalves before asserting in the closing stages to beat Simon and Ed Crisford’s Jolly Roger. The favourite stayed on gamely under Daniel Tudhope but had to settle for second.

Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subousi also enjoyed a memorable day, securing a double highlighted by two impressive performances from Ahmad Bin Harmash-trained horses.

The first came in the Sprint Handicap Stakes, where Whitegate emerged victorious following a thrilling neck-and-neck duel, outlasting Osama Refai’s Trip To Rome in the final strides. Subousi’s second winner came in the Al Shafar Investment Stakes (Daaeemm Incentive Stakes) as Yasup dictated terms from the front, travelling with ease and quickening clear in the straight to record a comfortable victory.

The day got off to a thrilling start with Af Muhem, owned by Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda and ridden with composure by Marcelino Rodrigues, claiming the opening race, the Porsche Cup. This Purebred Arabian handicap over 1400 metres, restricted to UAE-bred four-year-olds and above, saw Af Muhem bide his time before producing a telling late surge to finish ahead of Mohammed Al Shamdi’s Borad Al Medam.

For resident trainer Michael Costa, the afternoon brought long-awaited success as Mawhoob dominated the final race of the card, the Emirates NBD Cup (Daaeemm Incentive Stakes).

Under Silvestre De Sousa, the four-year-old son of War Of Will took command from the outset, dictating the pace and finishing almost five lengths clear of Qaiss Aboud’s Fayadh and stablemate La Yetal, who completed the frame in second and third respectively.