Antonio Fresu at the double to keep pressure on Tadhg O’Shea in jockey’s championship

Antonio Fresu rode a double on Sunday to keep the pressure on Tadhg O’Shea in the UAE jockeys' championship race at Meydan.

The Italian took the opener, for Purebred Arabians, on Musabah Al Muhairi’s Namood and won the penultimate race on Dahawi for the same trainer to take his tally to 36, three behind O’Shea.

Soon after Fresu had closed the gap, the nine-time UAE champion jockey hit back by taking the second race on Bhupat Seemar’s Shadzadi.

Third behind the UAE 1,000 Guineas winner Shahama in the Guineas Trial, Shadzadi won from Nobody’s Joke and Remas by three-and-a-quarter lengths and a length-and-three-quarters, respectively.

“She was entered in the UAE 1,000 Guineas on Friday, but in my book Shahama is a league of her own against her own sex this season,” O’Shea said of the El Kabeir filly.

“We thought [Shadzadi] might run second or third but it's important to get a win. This filly needs to come back in distance, she’ll be better suited at six [furlongs]. Her class got her through today I’m glad Plan A came off the yard are continuing in great form.

2.30pm Jaguar I-Pace – Conditions+(PA) Dh80,000+(Dirt)1,600m 

Winner Namrood, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi(trainer) 

3.05pm Land Rover Defender – Maiden+(TB) Dh82,500 (D)1,400m 

Winner Shadzadi, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar 

3.40pm Jaguar F-Type – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m 

Winner Tahdeed, Fernando Jara, Nicholas Bachalard 

4.15pm New Range Rover – Handicap+(TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m 

Winner Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly 

4.50pm Land Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 2,400m 

Winner Autumn Pride, Bernardo Pinheiro, Helal Al Alawi 

5.25pm Al Tayer Motor – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000+ T) 1,000m 

Winner Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al