Italian jockey Frankie Dettori (left) receives an award from HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani (second from left), the Special Adviser to HH the Emir, in presence of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (second from right) and QREC chairman Sheikh Mohamed bin Faleh al-Thani (right).
By Chris Hoover/Doha
Sheikh Tamim bin Joaan al-Thani owned Dubday pulled off a thriller with a late dash in the HH The Emir’s Trophy, a Group I race for Thoroughbreds three years old and over at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. The race was highly competitive and there was little margin for error. Though Dubaday was left to cover a lot of ground, Italian champion saddle artist Frankie Dettori was able to extract that much more from the Jassim al-Ghazali trainee to pounce on Ponfeigh and win by a neck.
Al Busayir did the job of a pace setter with Peter Anders, and Fanunalter racing in close proximity followed by the rest. With Al Busayir packing up on turning for home, Peter Anders found himself in front perhaps a wee bit soon and jockey Marvin Suerland had no option but to hit the front earlier than he may have wanted. Peter Anders shot ahead with Ponfeigh also staking claim for the lead.
Meanwhile, Dettori alighted Dubday to the task on hand and the Dubawi progeny quickly covered the leeway to eventually pass Ponfeigh in the shadow of the winning post. Dubday maintained his winning streak of six wins in Qatar and also the coveted trophy and a purse of QR two million.
Al Shaqab Racing consultant Harry Herbert said: “That was heart-stopping,” while Dettori, who has ridden Dubday to his last three wins, added: “Thank goodness he knows where the winning post is.”
Herbert went to say: “This continues a fantastic start to the year for Al Shaqab, because this is their fourth Group 1 winner. Dubday always takes your breath away, because he comes late, and it was even more difficult today from the widest draw of all.”
Dubday, who provided trainer Al Ghazali with his 11th win over the three-day meeting, leapfrogged Roman Legend and Taraf as Qatar’s highest prize-money earner of the season, with a tally of 2.280 million riyals.
Dubday’s next race will be at Meydan in Dubai, where last year he had an unfortunate run in the Sheema Classic, being knocked out of his stride in the early stages. He will attempt to put the record straight in the Dubai Gold Cup next month.
Ahmed Kobeissi schooled Crescent just about lasted out to win HH The Emir’s Trophy, a Thoroughbred race for three year olds. Frenchman Gerald Avranche drove out the Kobeissi will all his vigour to complete a successful start to finish mission.Though Itorio posed a serious threat in the last furlong, Avranche and Crescent were upto the challenge as they held on bravely to win a shorthead.
