Happy Craf stormed to victory in the seven-furlong, Al Manama Cup. Trained by leading Bahrain trainer Allan Smith, Happy Craf settled on the inside rail under Uruguyan jockey Edinson Rodriguez before unleashing a powerful run to win by a length and three quarters. Happy Craf is held in high regard by Smith and he feels there is more to come from his filly. After the race Smith said: “I don’t think we have got to the bottom of her yet but I haven’t been able to find anything to work her with. She is pretty good!”

In the second Bahrain Turf Series race of the day, Mars Landing fought off international contenter Arqoob in a thrilling finish to the £50,000 Al Muharraq Cup. Jockeys Neil Callan and Kieran Shoemark battled it out in the final two-furlongs with Mars Landing getting the better of the William Jarvis-trained Arqoob.

Neil Callan is based in Bahrain for the season and retained by His Highness Shaikh Sultan’s Al Mohamediya Racing operation. Callan was overjoyed to win for connections. He said: “It means a lot to His Highness Shaikh Sultan. This is one of their big days and I think it’s amazing what they’re trying to do here. I like the way they’re not pushing everything out there in a massive way, they’re just gradually growing.”

On the winning horse Mars Landing he added: “I knew he was going to fight back because the second horse didn’t actually go that far in front of me. He eyeballed me and I knew my horse was going to pull out a bit more. I’d spoken to people in England about him, because when I first started galloping him he gave me such a good feel and I thought he was a Group horse. I think he’s really settled into Bahrain well and he’s enjoying himself so I had every confidence in him. I feel like he’s going to keep improving now.”

The best of the international raiders across the two races, Arqoob, put in a fantastic run for trainer William Jarvis. Arqoob was Jarvis’ first runner in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Newmarket based trainer has enjoyed his experience of the country. He said: “I must say how helpful everyone has been to us. They’ve made everything as easy as possible for us.”

Jarvis was thrilled with his horse's performance. He said: “I don’t like finishing second but Arqoob has run his heart out and we’re thrilled to bits with him. We’ve got no excuses and Kieran gave him a great ride.”

On future plans for Arqoob in the Bahrain Turf Series he added: “There is a race on Friday 31 December over nine-furlongs which I think could be right up his street. We’ll try and freshen him up and aim him at that. I’m thrilled and James Paisley has done a very good job for us out here in Bahrain and it’s been a great experience.”

Final Finishing Positions:

Al Manama Cup, 7f

1. Happy Craf

2. Sonja Henie

3. Mission Boy

4. Al Fajir Mukbile

5. Zezenia

6. Maystar

7. Kinks

8. Yousini

9. Tamerlane

10. La Maquina

11. Natural Path

12. King’s Knight

13. Wonder Elzaam

14. Inveigle

15. Mobaadel

16. Breath Of Air

Al Muharraq Cup, 1m2f

1. Mars Landing

2. Arqoob

3. Wait Forever

4. Bond’s Boy

5. Ace Rothstein

6. Magical Wish

7. Dark Lion

8. Macaque

9. Howzer Black

10. Giustino

11. Forbidden Land

12. Brains

13. Classical Wave

14. Dawaam

15. The Emperor Within

Embed interview with Allan Smith, Neil Callan and William Jarvis: https://youtu.be/UnzWt4fdsug

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