Treble Jig strikes for Al Muhairi in Jebel Ali Mile

Report: UAE,  Friday

Jebel Ali:  Jebel Ali Mile (Listed) 1m,  dirt, 3yo+

FOR  the second year running trainer Musabah Al Muhairi provided the winner, but Snaafy, who prevailed last time, could manage only fifth behind new stable companion Treble Jig.

Wayne Smith was in the saddle on the winner and the champion jockey deserves a lot of credit having settled his mount in behind the ferocious early gallop set by Step In Line.

A bargain £11,000 purchase at Doncaster last August out of Sir Michael Stoute's yard, Treble Jig has now won three of his four UAE starts.

He led in his previous races but Smith clearly realised the pace was too quick to sustain here and waited until halfway before piling on the pressure.

Once in front, Treble Jig fought off challenge after challenge to defeat Haatheq and Atlantic Brave, another stable companion of the winner, who had been second to Snaafy in this last year.

A delighted Smith said: "I really thought we were the horse the othershad to beat as he is a relentless galloper who hates being passed.

"To be honest, I nearly did not make it - I was not feeling good this morning, but the thought of missing this ride helped get me here.

"I feel a lot better now! We will have to step him up in class at the Carnival I guess and something like the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort back on the turf would be a definite possibility."

It was a great afternoon for Al Muhairi who saddled the winners of half of the six thoroughbred winners, including Kanaf who won the main support race, a 6f conditions event. He led close home under Tadhg O'Shea to deny Kilt Rock a fifth consecutive course win this season.

O'Shea, who won on Kilt Rock last time, said: "A furlong out I was nearer last than first but he has finished very strongly and just led literally in the last strides."

Runner-up Kilt Rock received an amazing ovation fit for a vanquished hero with his enthusiastic syndicate owners and appreciative crowd rising to applaud a gallant effort.

Mirco Demuro became the third jockey to ride a winner for Al Muhairi when winning the 6f handicap on Wadi Wanderer.

William Buick opened his seasonal account on the Dhruba Selvaratnam-trained Moannaa who made a winning local debut in the 1m maiden, while Izaaj was the winner of the 1m1f handicap for pat Cosgrave and Mubarak bin Shafya.

Kilt Rock's trainer Doug Watson gained some compensation when Ted Durcan steered his Firstknight tovictory in the concluding 5f handicap.