Abu Dhabi Review Friday, February 11th
By Martin Talty
Irish jockey Ted Durcan all but secured is first UAE Jockey?s Championship at Abu Dhabi on Friday night, a winning treble giving him a virtual unattainable lead in the premiership for 1999/2000.
Durcan, formerly with Paddy Rudkin, before moving to Zabeel Stables as the number one rider for Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, rode Jakta Pas, Malik and Daya to victory, the first and third wins for Julian Smart and the second for Seemar.
Even this far out from the end of the season, Durcan's lead looks unreachable, his rivals now have to ride , on average, a winner more than him at each meeting for the rest of the season.
With any luck last night, it could have been five winners, his first two rides Corunna and E Zgo Tiki both finishing second.
Malik's win was a timely one considering the horse missed most of the 1998/1999 season due to injury, a season that would have seen the son of Sadler's Wells at his peak after showing good form during 1997/1998.
With closest chasers Willie Supple and Richard Hills going winless, Durcan's advantage looks even better though Neil Pollard did manage a victory aboard the Smart-trained Ganie de Carrere.
Smart has been in particularly good form and is enjoying his best season and snared a winning treble, with the Purebred Arabians Jakta Pas, Ganie de Carrere and Daya.
Stewards were kept busy throughout the night with a number of enquiries, jockeys Chris Avery, Darren Biggs and Peter Brette both being penalised, the former suspended for two days and the latter for one after causing interference.
