The 9-year-old gelding Forjatt is a veteran when it comes to Jebel Ali Racecourse, and the Jebel Ali Mile in particular, having contested the race the last four seasons, and he recorded a second win in the feature on Friday. Forjatt won the race in 2014 and was first past the post again in 2015, but was later disqualified for returning a positive test to a prohibited substance. Forjatt returned to be second in the race last year.
The bay warmed up for this effort with a pair of fifth-place finishes on the Abu Dhabi grass Nov. 13 and Dec. 4 behind Shamaal Nibras and Championship (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), Thursday's G2 Al Fahidi Fort winner, respectively. He was last seen checking in third in a handicap over this track and trip Dec. 23. Taking a sit off a fast pace on Friday, Forjatt began to make progress at the 500 metre mark. Put to a drive by Chris Hayes at the 300 metre pole, Forjatt overtook Shamaal Nibras soon thereafter and was a comfortable winner.
“It is an amazing result and a dream come true to win this race again during such a special year,” said Selvaratnam, referring to the 25th anniversary of Jebel Ali. “He was unlucky last year when my jockey, Chris Hayes, dropped his whip and he was disqualified after winning this in 2015 due to a medication issue.
Selvaratnam added, “He was actually my first winner of this particular race when scoring in 2014 and had been working well but we have had a poor season so far, so it was hard to be confident. He did it well and we are all delighted.”
Hayes added, “This is horse is a real favourite in the yard and something of a legend. The run in the trial put him spot on for today and he has really battled over the last 400 metres. It is a great result for the whole team at Jebel Ali.”
Friday, Jebel Ali, UAE
JEBEL ALI MILE SPONSORED BY SHADWELL-G3, AED575,000 (US$156,543/£126,838/€146,665), NH 4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 1600m, 1:36.21, ft.
1–FORJATT (IRE), 125, g, 9, by Iffraaj (GB)
1st Dam: Graceful Air (Ire), by Danzero (Aus)
2nd Dam: Samsung Spirit (GB), by Statoblest (Ire)
3rd Dam: Sarong, by Taj Dewan (Fr)
(€28,000 wnl '08 GONNOV; 60,000gns yrl '09 TATOCT)
O-Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Michael Downey &
Roalso Ltd; T-Dhruba Selvaratnam; J-C Hayes; AED345,000.
Lifetime Record: 42-12-10-5, $626,233. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++
*Triple Plus*.
2–Shamaal Nibras, 125, g, 8, First Samurai–Sashay Away, by
Farma Way. ($25,000 yrl '10 KEESEP; 45,000gns 2yo '11
TATAPR; O-EERC (Mngr: Mrs Rebecca Byrne); B-Andrew Cohen
& Gary Tolchin; T-Doug Watson; AED115,000.
3–Art Wave (Ire), 125, h, 6, Art Connoisseur (Ire)–Musical
Review (UAE), by Jade Robbery. (10,000gns yrl '12 TAOOCT;
27,000gns 2yo '13 TATMAY) O-Mohd Albousi Alghufli; B-
Sherbourne Lodge; T-Musabbeh Al Mheiri; AED57,500.
Margins: 1 1/4, 3HF, HD.
Also Ran: Sharpalo (Fr), Yard Line, Ennobled Friend, Saltarin Dubai (Arg), Trinity Force (Ire), Beachy Head (Ire), Nolohay (Ire), Just A Penny (Ire), Torchlighter (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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