Road Bloc made his first visit to Jebel Ali a memorable one by taking home his biggest career prize – the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint – in the final meeting of the season on Saturday.
The five-year-old Street Sense gelding trained by Osama Rafai and ridden by Oscar Chavez took up the running from the 250-metre marker and stayed on strongly to win from Story Of Light and Meshakel.
Road Bloc began the season as a maiden, after one start in the US, making a winning local debut over 1,400m on the dirt at Meydan Racecourse.
Two starts later, he doubled his tally; over 1,200m at Sharjah, in the Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup, the first leg of the Emirates Sprint Series. This was the second so connections not only won the Dh300,000 first prize but also a bonus of Dh250,000 for winning both races.
“We have had a great season with sprinters, both this one and Colour Up who were first and second over 1400m for us in the same race in November,” the winning owner Sayed Hashish, said.
“Both have just continued improving and we hoped this straight track would suit Road Bloc, trying 1,000m for the first time. Luckily it has!”
The main support race, the Jebel Ali Classic, went to Naser Askar’s admirable veteran Secret Ambition who hit the front and clung on gamely to complete a double for Bhupat Seemar.
“I was struggling early on but I knew if I could latch on to the leaders he would battle and that is exactly what he did. He is a jockey’s dream as he always tries so hard,” Richard Mullen, the winning rider, said.
Ghazzwaan, under Tadhg O’Shea, a bagged the opening prize for Seemar on his racecourse debut.
Results
2.30pm: Over a Mile Cup –Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Ghazzwaan, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Bhupat Seemar (trainer)
3pm: Al Shafar Cup – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Justice Protecol, Fernando Jara, Ismail Mohammed
3.30pm: Bin Dasmal Cup – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Thawban, Jean van Overmeire, Michael Costa
4pm: Al Nayfat Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Hunting Lady, Ray Dawson, Abmad bin Harmash
4.30pm: Jebel Ali Sprint – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Road Bloc, Oscar Chavez, Osama Rafai
5pm: Jebel Ali Classic – Conditions (TB) Dh250,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Richard Mullen, Bhupat Seemar
5.30pm: Tattersalls Cup – Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: National Bank, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
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Power: 360bhp
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Transmission: eight-speed automatic
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How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
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How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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