QREC vice-chairman Abdulaziz al-Malki (third from left) is seen with the winners of the Al Huwaila Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim
Alban de Mieulle trained Kalino (Kaolino-Virlaxy) had to extract every ounce of his energy and speed to stay ahead after he went into the lead in the straight while keeping at bay the challenge of Al Shahania Stud’s Arraab and Aziz Al Shahania to win the Al Huwaila Cup, a Pure Arabian Conditions race, which featured the eight event card at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. Jockey Marvin Suerland rode a brilliant race on the winner.
Al Jeali put in a fast run to take over the running with Maseh in close attendance, while Kalino was sitting in a comfortable third position along with Aziz Al Shahania and Al Atique.
Al Jeali continued his foray into the homestretch but Kalino came through in the centre of the track to measure the front runner with about 300 metres left in the race. In the meanwhile, Aziz Al Shahania and Arraab showed out in the middle with a brilliant flourish. With Aziz Al Shahania cramped for room in the middle, Arraab came along to dispute the lead. The trio were involved in a tight finish where Kalino prevailed by a head over Arraab, while Aziz Al Shahania took the third place.
Though it took eight outings for Al Nefor to shed her maiden status, the Julian Smart trained five-year-old grey mare put in a dazzling display while annexing the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 0 to 50 in a thrilling manner. Though Derzkin had assumed command and looked set to land the spoils, Guillambert brought Al Nefor into contention with a sustained run on the outside. After a few anxious moments, Al Nefor charged home to spare half a length at the finish. Stable mate Rabha also finished well to snatch the runner-up berth from Derzkin.
Trainer Smart went to complete a double with Rabha (Marco Monteriso astride) coming through in the Pure Arabian Graduation Plate. Monteriso took Rabha on a start to finish mission and later kept at bay the challenge of stable mate Al Majh’hoor to win by three quarters of a length.
A power packed ride by Yanis Aouabed ensured victory for Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari owned City Zen in the Thoroughbred Handicap, a race for horses rated 70 to 90. Sejalaat led the field with Gull Rock in close attendance while the rest were spaced behind. Rounding the final turn, Gull Rock shot ahead as Sejalaat failed to sustain his challenge. Gull Rock led till the final 50 metres at which time jockey Aouabed goaded City Zen to produce her patented burst of acceleration. The progeny of Baltic King quickened easily and sped past the front runner to win in fine style.
After finishing twice in her previous starts, Mohammed al-Yaqout saddled Aspire finally broke through the maiden ranks in her eighth outing. The Al Jeryan Stud’s four year old dark bat filly was ably ridden by jockey Salim Golam to a comfortable victory in the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. Aspire raised a determined gallop when it mattered most to down the efforts of Nahaam, who was threatening to run away with the race.
Golam continued to dominate the day’s proceedings as he piloted Ibrahim al-Malki’s Jumaira Tower to an exciting win in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. The second win for Golam did not come easy as he had to use all the resources at his command to keep at bay the challenge of Cloaked who went down fighting to the eventual winner.
Jockey Golam was again in the limelight as he steered Ibrahim al-Malki schooled Nawarah to an exciting win in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 50 to 70. Golam gave a peach of a ride on Nawarah while coming with a late challenge and overhauling Rock Up in the closihg stages of the race.
In the day’s other action, the perseverance of jockey Guillambert enabled Al Moheeb get the better of Al Wasmiya in the Local Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 0 to 60. After a stirring duel in the final 50 metres, Al Moheeb grew stronger and won well.
Results:
1st race: Aspire (Salim Golam) 1, Nahaam 2, Gaza VI 3, Ghaya 4. Won by: 1 ¾, 1 ¼, Nk. Time: 1:29.12. Trained by: Mohammed al-Yaqout. Owned by: Al Jeryan Stud
2nd race: Jumaira Tower (Salim Golam) 1, Cloaked 2, Charlie’s Wish 3, Dimity 4. Won by: 1 ½, ½, 1 ½. Time: 1:23.93. Trained by: Ibrahim al-Malki. Owned by: Ibrahim Saeed al-Malki
3rd race: Al Nefor (Guillambert) 1, Derzkiy 2, Rabha 3, Khattab 4. Won by: ½, Shd, 1 ¼. Time: 2:04.73. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani
4th race: Abhar (Marco Monteriso) 1, Al Majh’hoor 2, Aseel 3, Qassy 4. Won by: ¾, 1 ¾, 3 ½. Time: 2:01.74. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani
5th race: Al Moheeb (Guillambert) 1, Al Wasmiya 2, Haidara 3, Ohud 4. Won by: Nk, 1 ½, Nk. Time: 1:25.50. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Mishal bin Ali al-Attiya
6th race: Nawarah (Salim Golam) 1, Rock Up 2, Rebelde 3, Statesmanship 4. Won by: ½, 2, ½. Time: 1:11.07. Trained by: Ibrahim al-Malki. Owned by: Abdullah Hassan Ali Abdulmalik
7th race: City Zen (Yanis Aouabed) 1, Gull Rock 2, Sejalaat 3, Scargill 4. Won by: Nk, ½, Nk. Time: 0:58.95. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari
8th race: Kalino (Marvin Suerland) 1, Arraab 2, Aziz Al Shahania 3, Al Atique 4. Won by: Hd, 1 ¼, ½. Time: 2:02.39. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn
BELOW:
1) Jockey Marvin Suerland rides Kalino to a thrilling victory in the Al Huwaila Cup, which featured the races at the QREC yesterday.
2) QREC vice-chairman Abdulaziz al-Malki presents the Al Huwaila Cup to Abdullah Rashid al-Kubaisi, who received the trophy on behalf of Umm Qarn at the QREC yesterday.
