Forjatt defends Jebel Ali Mile title by slimmest of margins

Jebel Ali's biggest race of the season, the 1600 meter Jebel Ali Mile

(UAE-G3), produced one of the track's closest finishes of the campaign

with Silver Galaxy (Galileo) and defending champion Forjatt (Iffraaj) crossing the line locked in battle

on Friday.

It was the latter, trained on the track by Dhruba Selvaratnam for racecourse

patron HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose nostrils were in front when

it mattered by the narrowest of margins.

Forjatt was settled in midfield but his young jockey, Oisin Murphy, who

always looked confident while obviously determined not to get to the

front too soon.

With about 200 meters left Murphy asked his mount to quicken and the bay gelding did

to pass Silver

Galaxy. The race looked over but the eventual runner-up would not yield so

easily,

fighting back and nearly prevailing on the line.

When the result of the photo was announced and Forjatt entered the winner's

enclosure he enjoyed a raucous reception from the ever enthusiastic Jebel Ali

crowd.

"I thought I had won," Murphy said. "I knew it was very close but was pretty

confident we were in front when it mattered. The plan was to challenge as late

as possible because my fellow is a true miler, whereas Silver Galaxy stays a lot

further.

"That was an amazing reception from the crowd and it has been a great day."

Forjatt became the second horse to win the Jebel Ali Mile in consecutive

years and third to win the race twice in total.

"To be honest, I though Forjatt was beaten on the line so was delighted when the

result was announced," Selvartnam remarked. "To win this race two years running for Sheikh Ahmed is

pretty special."

Forjatt was one of three winners on the card for connections who had already combined

with Dormello (Dansili), the very smooth winner of an 1800 meters conditions race in which the

pair were always traveling well behind the leaders and, once Murphy asked for

his effort, they shot clear to win easily.

The treble was completed by Gobooll (Invincible Spirit) in a 1400 meter handicap. Never far off the pace,

he quickened to the front about 300 meter out and never looked likely to be caught.

"It has been a great afternoon and the horses are running well," Selvartnam

said.

"Gobooll has improved dramatically this season and can hopefully build on this

in handicap company.

The Doug Watson-trained Diwaan (Echo of Light) was forced to work hard to win the 1950 meter

conditions race, driven to the front close home by Pat Dobbs to register the

pair's fourth consecutive victory this season.

Salem Al Ketbi and his team at Al Asayl have been in good form with their

Purebred Arabians and opened their Thoroughbred account for the season with

Brazen (Kyllachy) in a 1600 meter handicap. Ridden by Tadhg O'Shea, he made virtually all.

The 1000 meter Jebel Ali Sprint Trial, the final event on the card, was won

impressively by Muarrab (Oasis Dream), trained by Musabah Al Muhairi and ridden by Paul

Hanagan for his main employer, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

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