Somoud storms to Al Ain Mile victory in first UAE meet to take place behind closed doors

RESULTS

5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Tathoor, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 1,000m
Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: Aiz Alawda, Fernando Jara, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohammed Daggash
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Winked, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Al Ain Mile Group 3 (PA) Dh350,000 1,600m
Winner: Somoud, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Al Jazi, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

Ahmed Al Mehairbi celebrated his biggest career success as a trainer when Somoud blew away the opposition to clinch the Group 3 Al Ain Mile on Thursday in the first race meet to take place behind closed doors in the UAE.

The Emirates Racing Authority announced that all meetings this weekend at Jebel Ali (Friday), Meydan (Saturday) and Abu Dhabi (Sunday) would not be open to the public as a precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

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In the absence of racegoers and racing in the silks of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed’s Yas Racing, Somoud, under Connor Beasley, stayed on gamely towards the finish line to win ahead of Shadda’Ad and MH Rahal by a length and a quarter and half-a-length respectively.

“He has been running consistently well but he was brilliant tonight when stepping up in class,” Al Mehairbi said.

“He’s rated only 80 and was competing against horses rated 100 to 120. He showed how much he has progressed and I hope this result will improve his rating significantly to get an invite for the Dubai Kahayla Classic (the Arabian showpiece improve at the Dubai World Cup).”

Shahm, who was re-routed to the Al Ain Mile after he was withdrawn from the Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 for being unruly at the starting gates last week, could finish only sixth in the 13-runner field.

“The mile distance appeared to be too sharp but it was mainly to give him a prep run ahead of the Kahayla,” Shahm’s trainer Majed Al Jahouri said.

“He ran a good race and was beaten by just over two lengths. I would like to think this outing will benefit him in many ways. Obviously we are now looking at the Kahayla.”

Al Mehairbi was completing a double on the night after Fernando Jara brought home Aiz Alawda in the third race.

Jara also completed a double on board ES Nahawand half hour later to provide Sudanese trainer Mohammed Daggash his first winner in more than two years.

Beasley also celebrated a double after steering home Abdallah Al Hammadi’s Winked in the fifth race.

While you're here

Gavin Esler: Coronavirus offers stinging rebuke to protectionists

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Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

Know before you go

Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

How to help

Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.

Account name: Dar Al Ber Society

Account Number: 11 530 734

IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734

Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank

To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

SPECS

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If you go...

Flying
There is no simple way to get to Punta Arenas from the UAE, with flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi requiring at least two connections to reach this part of Patagonia. Flights start from about Dh6,250.

Touring
Chile Nativo offers the amended Los Dientes trek with expert guides and porters who are met in Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas and lasts for six days in total. Prices start from Dh8,795.