QREC Board Member Mohamed al-Sheeb (centre) and QREC deputy general manager Tariq Abdulhameed al-Sidiqie (extreme right) are seen with the winners of the Al Wajba Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim
The Al Wajba Cup had just six runners, yet it panned out to be an extremely electrifying race. The supporters of each of the two contenders had a lot to shout about at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. Alban de Mieulle trained Nashmi (Marvin Suerland up) fought brilliantly to stave off the challenge of Aziz Al Shahania in a scintillating two horse finish in the Pure Arabian Advanced Plate which carried a purse of QR 100,000.
Maseh took the lead soon on start and Nashmi galloped just behind the leader. Guillambert kept Aziz Al Shahania in a handy fourth position, waiting for the right moment to strike. The race took a serious turn midway up the straight when Nashmi went past Maseh. The Julian Smart saddled Aziz Al Shahania emerged with a fiery run full of power and challenged Nashmi. A terrific battle ensued between the two. Nashmi was unrelenting to the pressure as he fought every inch of the ground with Aziz Al Shahania. The duo went past the winning post locked together and the photo finish revealed that Nashmi had won by a shorthead.
HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani owned Taraf shed its maiden status with a fluent victory in the local bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. The Julian Smart trained Taraf was ridden by jockey Guillambert. Though a little a tardy at the start, Taraf came with a terrific run to stop them all and score its first career win. Taraf who was third last in the 13-horse field, turned it around with a brilliant finish.
Kafayef (Ladadj astride) showed fairly good early speed but failed to quicken after doing everything right until into the straight. Mhalyedha Al Zaidy powered his way into contention but his foray was snatched away when Taraf swooped upon them with a stormy gallop to stride away to a glorious maiden win.
Jassim al-Ghazali schooled Vetlana De Faust put up a gritty show to deny hard ridden stable mate Negreto a victory in the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. Going for it from the start, Vetlana De Faust held the upper hand right through the race. He entered the homestretch with a slender lead and had his work cut out as Allegreto, Al Khattaf and Mujidd were all too close for comfort. Allegreto was the one to raise hopes as he inched closer with every stride. The duo battled it out in the final furlong and Stephane Ladjadj astride Vetlana De Faust deserves credit for keeping his mount going all through and ward off the serious challenge of his stable mate.
Ghazali had two other winners for the day to complete a treble. Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari owned Ladyanne was brilliantly ridden to victory by jockey Gerald Avranche in the Thoroughbred Conditions for Fillies and Mares. My Sharona using runaway tactics, had assumed command and looked set to land the spoils, but was his bid was foiled by Ladyanne who came with a ground devouring run in the final furlong to overhaul the front runner and win by nearly a length.
Earlier Avranche had dazzled with another tremendous effort while steering Pirate’s Song to a narrow win in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 75 to 95.
Results:
1st race: Taraf (J.P. Guillambert) 1, Kafayef 2, Mhalyedha Al Zaidy 3, Robbama 4. Won by: 3, 1, 2 ½. Time: 1:20.98. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani
2nd race: Vetlana De Faust (Stephane Ladjadj) 1, Allegreto 2, Al Khattaf 3, Mujidd 4. Won by: 1, ½, 1 ½. Time: 2:13.15. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari
3rd race: Baroud Al Zaeem (Gerald Avranche) 1, Shadeedah 2, Jouarah 3, Zallal 4. Won by: Nk, 1 ½, 1 ¾. Time: 1:37.59. Trained by: Mohamed Khalid. Owned by: Jassim bin Ali al-Attiya
4th race: Al Azuur (J.P. Guillambet) 1, Tuyoorna 2, Kassam 3, Al Majd 4. Won by: 1, 5, Distance. Time: 1:46.87. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: Al Shahania Stud
5th race: Sunley Pride (Evert Pheiffer) 1, Statesmanship 2, Yes We Can Dream 3, Rebelde 4. Won by: 1, Shd, ½. Time: 1:12.75. Trained by: Debbie Mountain. Owned by: Mohamed Hassan Ali Abdulmalik
6th race: Too Nice Name (Darren WiLliams) 1, Suneagle 2, Protect 3, Al Jahaniya 4. Won by: ½, ½, 3. 1Time: 2:07.26. Trained by: Aashoor. Owned by: Al Moqeerat Stud
7th race: Pirate’s Song (Gerald Avranche) 1, Sandbetweenourtoes 2, Cinderkamp 3, Botanic Garden 4. Won by: ½, ¾, Shd. Time: 1:12.98. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Abdullah Mohamed Al Kuwari Sons
8th race: Ladyanne (Gerald Avranche) 1, My Sharona 2, Secret Destination 3, Ghalaa 4. Won by: ¾, 2, ¾. Time: 1:38.49. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari
9th race: Nashmi (Marvin Suerland) 1, Aziz Al Shahania 2, Khabbab 3, El Zouarda 4. Won by: Shd, 2 ½, ½. Time: 2:07.25. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn
Below:
1) Jockey Marvin Suerland rides Nashmi to a thrilling victory over Aziz Al Shahania (Guilambert astride) in the Al Wajba Cup, which featured the races at the QREC yesterday.
2) QREC Board Member Mohamed al-Sheeb (centre) presents the Al Wajba Cup to trainer Alban de Mieulle as QREC deputy general manager Tariq Abdulhameed al-Sidiqie looks on at the QREC yesterday.
