Erwan Charpy's New Year success rate continued at Sharjah on Friday when the Frenchman saddled his second double within 24 hours.
Charpy led in Descendent and Asheer in successive races, the former winning a 00-55 handicap for thoroughbreds over 1,900m and the latter winning a 1,700m Maiden for Purebred Arabians. Charpy enjoyed one of his most successful seasons in the UAE during 1998/1999 however he endured a relatively slow start to the 1999/2000 season.
However, since the New Year his horses have come into their own and he is now enjoying a purple patch of form. The trainer nearly made it a treble but his promising four-year-old Surhaan was touched off by Rasmussen in the main thoroughbred handicap of the day.
Descendent was ridden by stable jockey Dane O'Neill who is also enjoying a successful time in recent weeks while Asheer was ridden by Wayne Smith.
Charpy's double was matched by Paddy Rudkin who extended his lead in the race for the trainer's championship when newcomer Milazzo and Rasmussen won consecutive races, both horses ridden by Neil Pollard.
Pollard's double was a much needed boost for his championship aspirations, with Ted Durcan still 10 clear, it will be a hard chase for those behind him with under 30 meetings to go before season's end.
