By Chris Hoover/Doha
Zohair Moghsen trained Qadir had it easy in the 1600 metres Ras Laffan, a local Thoroughbred Stakes race, which highlighted day’s races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.
Though there were a couple of strong contenders in the fray, Qadir gave no anxious moments to his supporters as he checked in well clear of his opponents, with Monita Al Nefos being the only realistic challenger.
“Qadir has been a brilliant performer and he did not disappoint us today. He has class and we were sure of his victory. He is in fine form and we hope to win few more races this season with Qadir,” trainer Moghsen told the Gulf Times.
A good piece of riding by Qatari jockey Jassim al-Kaabi saw the George Mikhalides nurtured Al Munjez beat his vanquisher Anood Al Hana in the local bred Pure Arabian Handicap. The talented Qatari rider positioned Al Munjez in a handy fourth place till the field turned for the homestretch. Though Anood Al Hana (Ahmed al-Malki up) put up a spirited challenge, Kaabi was upto the task and rode out confidently in the final furlong to clinch the verdict by the shortest of margins.
Trainer Mikhalides completed a back-to-back double when Djakkad showed a remarkable turn of foot while winning the 1,200 metres Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. With stablemate Injaaz (Norbert Jeanpierre astride) making his presence felt, Frenchman Stephen Ladjadj alerted Djakkad to the task on hand. The response from the four-year-old chestnut colt was immediate. Djakkad engaged Injaaz in a keen tussle for supremacy. The Mihkalides trainee sped away to record an impressive victory.
Earlier, Ghazali saddled Granary continued her amazing winning streak with yet another impressive performance for her seventh straight victory in the Thoroughbred Plate for Fillies and Mares.
Though taking on a credible field, Granary under the able riding of Gerard Avranche bolted clear off her rivals and won as she pleased.
Metroland looking for a hat-tirck had to settle for second place, while Dream Sea edged out Baraari for the third spot.
Results:
1st race: Al Munjez (Jassim al-Kaabi) 1, Anood Al Hana 2, Endefa 3, Arrak 4. Won by: Shd, 3 ½, ½. Time: 2:15.01. Trained by: George Mikhalides. Owned by: Sheikha Mariam bint Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani; 2nd race: Djakkad (Stephen Ladjadj) 1, Injaaz 2, Orracle Safar 3, Yassera 4. Won by: 3, ½, ½. Time: 1:21.92. Trained by: George Mikhalides. Owned by: Sheikh Mohammed bin Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani; 3rd race: Mogida (Adrie de Vries) 1, Mouhoob 2, Saldem Al Naif 3, Ftooh 4. Won by: 2 ½, 1 ¾, 2 ½. Time: 1:53.58. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani; 4th race: Plot Line (Marchand) 1, Gold Horizons 2, Mganga 3, Honest Prospector 4. Won by: 1 ½, 1, Hd. Time: 1:14.14. Trained by: George Mikhalides. Owned by: Shiekha Rowdha bint Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani; 5th race: Granary (Gerard Avranche) 1, Metroland 2, Dream Sea 3, Baraari 4. Won by: 5, ¾, 1. Time: 1:24.72. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Ahmed Fawaz Ahmed al-Attiyah; 6th race: Jussor (David Bouland) 1, Fakhr 2, Dirgam 3, Jawlan 4. Won by: 1 ½, 3, ¾. Time: 1:48.65. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Sheikh Tamim bin Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani; 7th race: Qadir (Gerard Avranche) 1, Monita Al Nefos 2, Battal 3, Al Hareth 4. Won by: 3, 5, 6. Time: 1:41.18. Trained by: Zohair Moghsen. Owned by: Hussain Ali Bukanan
Endurance racing season starts today
Al Shaqab’s Endurance Team, member of Qatar Foundation, returns to action today, as the Qatar season gets underway with two events scheduled. This marks the team’s first race since returning from a successful European campaign in France this past summer.
The team will compete in both the 80km and 60km races at the Qatar Endurance Village in Mesaieed, Qatar. The pre-ride vet check will start at 1 p.m, and the ride starts at 4 p.m.
This summer, the Al Shaqab Endurance Team experienced great success in Europe, winning five of the ten races in which they competed. Faleh Nasser Al Naimi captured the team’s most outstanding victory this summer, winning the individual World Championship 130km title for 7-year-old horses in Compeigne, France.
The Al Shaqab Chairman is HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad al-Thani and the Director is Claudia Starr. Al Shaqab’s Endurance Department is headed by General Supervisor Owaida Al Hajeri, Manager and Trainer Hadi Nasser al-Naimi and Assistant Trainer Jabr Nasser al Ramzani.
The team will compete in Qatar throughout the season in preparation for the World Endurance Championship to be held in Lexington, Ky, USA, in September 2010.
Al Shaqab was founded in 1992 by The Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani to preserve and further develop the Arabian horse in Qatar; the Endurance Team was added in 1997.
In 2004, Al Shaqab became a member of Qatar Foundation.
Al Shaqab’s mission, to promote the highest standards in the breeding and showing of Arabian horses and provide innovative, educational and competitive opportunities in all of the equestrian arts.
|
