By Chris Hoover/Doha

Julian Smart trained Al Atique (Amer-Somra) thwarted the late challenge of Vetlana De Faust and stable mate Aziz Al Shahania to win the QR 400,000 Qatar National Day Trophy, a Group II race for Pure Arabians, which featured the races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.
Sporting the colours HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani, Al Atique (Alberto Senna up) hit the front and set the pace for the 10 furlong trip. He was closely followed by Aziz Al Shahania and Saint De Faust. The Smart trainee continued his foray deep into the homestretch even as Vetlana De Faust and Aziz Al Shahania came through in the centre of the track to challenge the front runner with about 100 metres left in the race. After a brief tussle, Al Atique staved off the spirited challenge of the duo to win by a neck.
“Though we have won the race, I must admit that this evening has not gone well. We are happy that Al Atique has won the main race, but I am disappointed with the way the previous race was run. There was absolutely no pace and it was distressing to see Taraf go down in that race. Taraf would have relished a faster pace. But all said and done, Kassam ran a great race and I am glad that HH Sheikh Mohammed had a good day. Al Atique has come back and won two races and they are both improving. I am looking forward to the Derby day where Taraf will be in the lineup. I am confident that she will come back strongly,” trainer Smart told the Gulf Times.  
The Late Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani Cup unfolded on expected lines as far as the finish was concerned. The two-pronged finish saw racing at its best as the field assembled for this contest were the best three year old Pure Arabians in Qatar. Jassim al-Ghazali schooled Kassam edged his owner mate Taraf in a nail biting finish in the QR 400,000 event, which was the other added attraction of the day.
Zahi set the tone for the 2,000 metres trip and led them into the straight before bowing out. Injaaz Stud’s Al Mizan (Harry Bentley up) then took charge and was picking up momentum, while Richard Mullen produced Taraf on the outside. At the distance post, Taraf had the slight edge, but she was soon joined by Kassam, who stretched himself to fight on bravely and was going all out. Jockey Guillambert then got Kassam to finish with a powerful run to head the wire at just the right time.
The victory of Kassam over the formidable Taraf and Fouladh has now put the Ghazali trainee into the reckoning for the Emir’s Sword and also in the classics during the International Racing Festival in January.
“I am very thrilled with the win of Kassam who beat some top class horses. He has now given me hopes for the Emir’s Sword and Internationals races. I will try and maintain the condition of Kassam and leave it to Sheikh Mohammed to decide where he is going run next,” Ghazali explained.
Ghazali trained Arraab (Amer-Cath) rallied strongly towards the last 100 metres to win the Pure Arabian Graduation Plate. Into the home straight, Arraab improved gradually from about fifth position to get into contention.  Jockey Harry Bentley started to ride out the Ghazali trainee strongly and the five-year-old grey colt forged ahead to spare nearly two lengths over Desar Al Naif and Raghed. The manner of ths victory puts Arraab in lien for an encore when saddled next.
In a cliffhanger of a race, Ghazali schooled Substantiate edged out Hi Holy by a shorthead to win the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 60 to 80. Substantiaite and Hi Holy raced in mid bunch for most part of the eight furlong trip as Desert Colours and Misdemeanour led the field in a fast paced race. When the race took a serious turn, Yanios Aouabed had Substantiate going even as Hi Holy (Gerald Avranche up) was alighted to the task. In a pulsating finish, Substantiaite just about got the better of Hi Holy, much to the relief of its trainer.
In another thrilling contest, Aouabed powered Ghazali’s Pay Freeze to a narrow win over Alsefra in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 75 to 95. Alsera appeared to have gone into a decisive lead even as Pay Freeze was taking time to accelerate but once he did, the Ghazali trainee came home with a big rush in the middle to get the verdict in the closing stride of the race.
Ibrahim al-Malki nurtured Right To Dream won Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 85 and above, with a late stretch run. Free Spin looked good in the final furlong as he had a slender advantage and seemed to be travelling well. However, when push came to shove, he surrendered to the onslaught of the Malki trainee, who finished with a rattle to go past the front runner and win by a length. Jockey Gary Carter was simply brilliant astride the winner.
Abdulaziz al-Qaithri’s Screenshot broke through the maiden ranks with a start to finish victory in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. Jockey Marco Monteriso rode a confident race on the winner.
Yousef Bentaher saddled Haraz Al Naif (Amer-Heff De Faust) clinched a stylish victory in the Local Bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. Settling in third in a pack nine, Haraz Al Naif forged ahead soon on turning for home. Jockey Gerald Avranche waited with the Bentaheri trainee until well into the straight and when he began to urge Haraz Al Naif,  the Amer progeny unleashed a terrific gallop to draw away and win by a widening margin of five lengths. Sharsaa Al Naif,who was in futile chase of the winner, finished second ahead of Dheram Al Naif.




 

 

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