Potential defeated experience with the 4yo Ghostzapper gelding, Mersaal , settled in rear by Jean Van Overmaire before easing into contention throughout the straight, settling matters with almost 200m remaining for racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his principal trainer Michael Costa who trains at the adjacent Sheikh Ahmed Stables.
In maintaining his unbeaten record, Costa's charge overhauled 2020 Group 3 UAE Oaks heroine Down On Da Bayou, also a dual winner over this course and distance last season, so the form looks strong.
Overmaire said: "He has clearly improved a lot from that first run and we almost missed the break so I decided to be patient and see how things panned out. Luckily it worked out well."
A decent 1400m handicap appeared to be contested at a frenetic early gallop, with those who raced prominently dropping away over the final 300m, leaving Shadwell duo Almoreb and Fanaar, both initially settled well off the pace, to fight out the finish, the latter prevailing under Dane O'Neill for Doug Watson.
A 6yo gelded son of Dark Angel, he was recording a third career triumph but surprisingly first in the UAE, having scored twice in Britain for William Haggas, most recently in March 2019.
He had, however, posted plenty of good performances in defeat locally and few could begrudge him getting his head back in front.
Half an hour later Watson was celebrating a double after Pat Dobbs and Silver Jubilee , homebred by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, registered a cosy success in a 1600m maiden for 3yos.
Unsuccessful after five starts in France, all in 2021, the Dubawi colt showed promise in both outings last season, finishing runner-up on the Meydan turf first time in early March and then here at Jebel Ali when a slow start hindered his chances a fortnight later.
Dobbs said: "He is a very genuine horse, not very big but very tough. He did not handle the tight bend very well but came home well in the straight and he should improve from that."
A lesser 1600m handicap than the feature, which attracted the only capacity field on the card, in this case 14, also went to Watson, courtesy of Mayaadeen, completing a treble for the trainer and doubles for both O'Neill and Shadwell.
Watson said: "He ran really well on his return over 1400m and he has stayed the 1600m well today which was a query but to have a double for Shadwell and Sheikha Hissa is great, as is of course a treble for the yard."
The fixture licked off with a 1400m maiden which proved a memorable event for Ahmed Al Shemaili who saddled his first winner from his new Meydan base at Grandstand Stables, Ibra Attack and Adrie de Vries posting a narrow victory for Elbashir Salem Elhrari.
After a slow start, De Vries was soon able to find a handy position before striking for home 200m out and they always appeared likely to hold on, despite a renewed challenge from Onda Ruggente and a late flourish from Desert Destination, third and second respectively.
Making it third time lucky, the 4yo colt by Dialed In had finished third on both his first two outings, over this Jebel Ali 1400m, on debut in March last season and again on his seasonal bow three weeks ago.
De Vries said: "I rode him last time and he was a bit naughty, almost babyish, so I told Ahmed to put the visor on and he was much more mature today."
Only four faced the starter in the concluding 1950m handicap and only one ever really mattered, the sole 3yo among the quartet, First Of November, never seeing another rival under Royston Ffrench in the silks of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum for Salem bin Ghadayer.
A 3yo Bernardini colt, he was doubling his career tally, adding this victory to that he registered in a maiden, over the same course and distance, on his third and final start of last season. Beaten on his first two outings this season, he bounced back in style here.
