The winners of the Al Muraikh Cup strike a pose after the presentation ceremony at the QREC yesterday.
Al Naksh (Dormane-Kerina) from the stables of Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi trounced his three rivals in the Sumayaimah Cup, a local bred Pure Arabian race for three-year-olds, which featured the eighth day’s races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.
Jockey Marco Monteriso took Al Naksh to the front as they settled down and got the bay colt into a fine rhythm. Once they turned for home, Al Naksh galloped on impressively and sailed to victory literally unchallenged. Monteriso only guided the Matwi colt and did not have to exert any pressure as Al Naksh knew the job on hand and they together accomplished the task without being extended. AJS Qahir followed the winner for the most part of the race and finished second. Kaydoum ran on to finish third but without making much impact on the winner.
Day eight of the season belonged to trainer Jassim al-Ghazali and jockey Stephane Ladjadj. The duo were at their best with four and three winners respectively. Ghazali’s four winners came through Nahla, Scargil, My Sharona and Captain Cleo with Ladjadj partnering three of them to the winning post.
Nahla (Hatteen-Digma) which had gone down narrowly to Shadeedah on her debut, made amends for that failure with an authoritative win in the Muraikh Cup, a local bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate, run over seven furlongs. The Ghazali saddled Nahla (Stephane Ladjadj up) was settled nicely in mid group even as Al Khabar and Hector set a fast pace. On entering the homestretch, Nahla sprouted a pair of wings and skipped away from the pack to win with plenty in hand. She certainly looks to be a talented filly which can progress up the ranks.
My Sharona (Dark Angel-Tanda Tula) displayed blinding speed and romped home to a classy third career victory from 10 starts. She clocked a smart timing of one minute 25.84 seconds while emerging clear all the way building on a quick start in the 1,400 metres Thoroughbred Conditions race for Fillies and Mares . Ladyanne came from way behind but failed to pass the winner. My Sharona, owned by Sheikha Mariam bint Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani has always shown top class speed and she is developing into a sprinter of class and repute.
Scargill won the Al Naksh Cup, a Thoroughbred race for two-year-old colts without encountering any trouble. He took off at a brisk pace and held at bay the mounting challenge from Peter Mac in the dying moments of the race. Yanis Aouabed rode a peach of a race to keep the Ghazali trainee well ahead and maintaining a steel-like grip on the race right through. Peter Mac took a while to gather momentum but when he did, it was all over.
Ghazali and Ladjadj continued to dominate the races as the pair went on to record their third victory with Captain Cleo’s runaway win in the Zein Alesim Cup, a Thoroughbred race for two year old fillies. Making his first appearance in Qatar, Captain Cleo galloped to his maiden success majestically. In the final furlong, Captain Cleo drew away from Cloaked putting an end to any speculation or suspense. The Ghazali trainee won with a fair measure of comfort and should improve to score again.
“This has been a great day for me. To have four winners in a day is simply brilliant. This has all been possible because of the support of my owners, who have trusted me with some good horses. I was really impressed with Scargil and Captain Cleo. They are capable of being classic contenders and I have high hopes on them,” trainer Ghazali told the Gulf Times.
The winning sequence of Ghazali was finally halted by Al Jeryan Stud’s Abeer in the Al Kharrarah Cup, a race for three-year-old local Thoroughbreds. The Mohanad Al Yaqout schooled Abeer was a pillar to post winner under the able riding of Marvin Suerland.
Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi’s Majd Al Uraiq (Gerald Avranbche up) was a fluent winner of the Umm Sawayyah Cup, a three-year-old race for Pure Arabians. After setting the pace, Majd Al Uraiq raced away from his six rivals to win by three lengths. TM Thinder Struck took the second place ahead of Al Majh Hoor.
Alban de Mieulle saddled Karamah (Majd Al Arab-Adjaa D’Arocco) was ridden to a start to finish victory in the Ghashyam Cup, a Pure Arabian race for three-year-old fillies. Jockey David Bouland rode a confident race on the winner with astart-to-finish tactics.
Results:
1st race: Nahla (Stephane Ladjadj) 1, Hector 2, Rabha 3, Jak El Elm 4. Won by: 4, 1 ¾, 1. Time: 1:37.81. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Sheall bin Khalifa al-Kuwari
2nd race: My Sharona (Stephane Ladjadj) 1, Ladyanne 2, Abeer 3, Sputnik Sweetheart 4. Won by: ½, 2 ½, 1 ½. Time: 1:25.84. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Sheikha Mariam bin Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani
3rd race: Scargill (Yanis Aouabed) 1, Peter Mac 2, Roman Legend 3, Square Foot 4. Won by: 1, 2 ½, Hd. Time: 1:26.85. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Khalil Mansoor Khalil al-Shahwani
4th race: Captain Cleo (Stephane Ladjadj) 1, Cloaked 2, Charlie’s Wish 3, Green Run 4. Won by: 3 ½, 1 ¾, 5. Time: 1:28.02. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Khalifa bin Ali al-Attiya
5th race: Aseer (Marvin Suerland) 1, Aspire 2, Venus 3, Gaza 4. Won by: 4, 7, Distance. Time: 1:29.65. Trained by: Mohand al-Yaqout. Owned by: Al Jeryan Stud
6th race: Majd Al Uraiq (Gerald Avranche) 1, TM Thunder Struck 2, Al Majh Hoor 3, Allegreto 4. Won by: 3, Nk, 12. Time: 1:34.69. Owned and trained by: Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi
7th race: Karamah (David Bouland) 1, AJS Amjad 2, Wejdan 3, Khafouqi 4. Won by: 1 ½, 1 ¼, 1 ¼. Time: 1:38.27. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn
8th race: Al Naksh (Marco Monteriso) 1, AJS Qahir 2, Kaydoum 3, Sadiqah 4. Won by: 3, 3 ½, 2. Time: 1:50.26. Owned and trained by: Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi
