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It was a day dominated by trainer Jassim al-Ghazali and jockey Harry Bentley, during the Qatar Derby Trial at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. The duo went on to win four races in a row, which included three Derby Trial races. Bahia Du Barthas, Masnoon and Al Hareth emerged the best of the lot in their respective races. Bentley had earlier ridden Ghazali’s Three Cliffs to victory in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. |
Al Hareth led all the way and held off the challenge of Yasmeen quite easily in the Local Thoroughbreds Derby Trial. Unbeaten in his last three starts, Al Hareth broke into a decisive lead inside the final furlong which in the end proved to be too big to bridge for Yasmeen, who went down fighting to the winner.
Masnoon (Amer-Redjila) who has been pretty consistent in his career, was given a peach of a ride by Bentley to win the Local Bred Pure Arabian Derby Trial. With only three runners coming under the starters orders, Bentley had Masnoon in a handy second position as stable mate Bambino Du Pouy set the pace. As the race took a serious turn, Bentley and Masnoon took the intitiative and surged ahead. Umm Qarn’s Azeeza who came charging in the final stages of the race, could only reduce the margin of defeat as Masoon won by nearly a length.
Bahia Du Barthas which had gone down to Mindza in his previous outing, made amends for that failure with an authoritative win in the Qatar Pure Arabian Derby Trial for three year olds run over seven furlongs.
Bahia Du Barthas was settled nicely in a handy second position even as stable mate Bambino Du Pouy set a fast pace. On entering the homestretch, Bahia Du Barthas sprouted a pair of wings and skipped away from the pack to win with plenty in hand. He certainly looks to be a talented colt which can progress up the ranks.
Ghazali had another winner to take his tally to five. Roman Legend produced a sparkling run in the final 50 metres to get the better of Ponfeigh to win the Qatar Thoroughbred Derby Trial.
Ponfeigh who had taken over the running at the top of the straight had opened a useful lead by the time Roman Legend found his wings but the latter was able to manage to get past the front runner thanks to a power packed finish by jockey Gerald Avranche.
“It has been another brilliant day for me and I am delighted with the performance of all my winners. Jockey Bentley was also excellent and has played a major part in these victories. It is not easy to win so many cup races. This has all been possible due to the support of my owners and my team,” trainer Ghazali told the Gulf Times.
Jockey Avaranche was again to the fore while riding a marvellous race to guide Mohammed Salama trained Jenjal to a splendid victory in the Local Bred Pure Arabian Derby for three year olds. The perseverance of Avarnache enabled Jenjal to overhaul Sendeed Al Galayel in the final srtide of the race.
Earlier in the day, Bentley had partnered Three Cliffs to an exciting win in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. Making his move along the rails, Three Cliffs pounced on the front runners and took his first career win in five starts.
The Pure Arabian Derby Trial for four year olds, witnessed a blanket finish with Julian Smart’s three contenders taking the first three places. Al Majh’Hoor (Barry Doyle up), Abhar (Tadgh O’Shea astride) and Aden (Richard Mullen up) disputed for the lead in the final furlong with the first named edging Abhar for the first place. Aden also finished well to finish a notable third. Jockey Pier Convertino had to use all the resources at his command to contain the challenge of Flintstone while steering Mohanad al-Yaqout schooled Adwan to a thrilling victory in the local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate.
It was a fascinating duel between Adwan and Flintsone in the final stages of the race. After giving Flintstone a breather, Marco Monteriso brought the Mohammed Majid trainee into contention with a brilliant run, while Convertino was unrelenting on the eventual winner.
With the duo fighting each inch of the ground, it was Adwan that got stronger at the finish to win by a neck. Al Naif Countfleet and My Way were a close third and fourth.
Convertino came up with another brilliant ride while guiding Alban de Mieulle saddled Aseel to victory in the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 70 to 100.
The Italian waited with Aseel until the furlong before unleashing the four year oldd Nizam progeny. Once shown the daylight, Aseel sported a pair of wings and went past Lucky Sand in the shadow of the winning post. A neck separated the two, while Al Khaittlaf and Jihad completed the frame.
