Skygazer Wins First Race Of Year At Abu Dhabi
7-year-old gelded Skygazer stole the crown in the only Thoroughbred contest in UAE's first racemeeting of 2019.
The last of six races and a 2200m handicap won fairly easily by Skygazer, originally only the second reserve. The son of Echo of Light took full advantage of the late opportunity presented for trainer Ali Rashid Al Rayhi and jockey Ronan Whelan.
This was his second win on turf, having also won over 2200m at Jinma Lake in China during April 2017.
Whelan said: “He has really enjoyed the return to turf and that strong gallop they went this evening has really suited him. He is just an honest horse who tries his best and we were lucky to get in the race as second reserve. Obviously I missed a lot of the early part of the season, but am back now and hoping for a good second half of the campaign.”
Nibras Galaxy was a good runner-up under Adrie De Vries while Mashaheer under Jim Crowley was third.