QREC general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (centre) is seen with the winners of the Umm Al Afai Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim
By Chris Hoover/Doha
Alban de Mieulle trained Zahrah plunged into an all out offensive in the final furlong and launched a fiery gallop to outrun Sraab and Amirat Al Qaloob to score a thrilling victory in the Umm Al Afai Cup, a Local Thoroughbred Conditions race for Fillies and Mares, which featured the races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. Zahrah was brilliantly ridden by French saddle artist Gaetan Faucon, who completed a double for the day.
Manayer set the tone for the mile trip, closeful followed by Gaza VI and the rest. Manayer guided the field into the straight with Amirat Al Qaloob ready to pounce on the leader. The Mohammed Hussain trained Amirat Al Qaloob was shifting gears and stretched out nicely to build a handy lead. With the others not gaining any ground, the Hussain trainee looked home and dry with a furlong to go. This is when Zahrah and Sraab warmed up and started to bridge the gap at a brisk pace. With hardly a few strides left in the race, Zahrah finished strong to win by a neck from Sraab, while Amirat Al Qaloob went down fighting to finish a close third.
Peter Anders from Zuhair Mohsen’s stables, which had finished third to the formidable Dubday in HH The Emir’s Trophy, responded well to Adrian Nicholls urgings in the straight to win the Thoroughbred Condition race, run over 2,200 metres. After racing a handy second until the home turn, Nicholls alighted Peter Anders to the task on hand. The Mohsen trainee instantly gathered momentum and went away to win by half length from a fast finish Janoub Nibras and Right To Dream.
Jassim al-Ghazali schooled The Blue eye had indicated his readiness to strike while finishing fourth to Crescent in HH The Emir’s Shalfa Trophy in his last outing. The Blue Eye’s good forward effort had ensured that he went into the Thoroughbred Condition srace for three year olds, with a huge chance. He did not disappoint under the able riding of Italian jockey Pier Convertino. Though stable mate Itorio had taken charge and established an useful lead, The Ghazali trainee quickly changed gears and went past the front runner to win by nearly two lengths. He should be better off after finally entering the winners’ enclosure. Its trainer has high hopes on this colt who could come into classic reckoning in the forthcoming season.
Carina Palace (Convertino up) produced a superlative run to humble Peace Accord and Northern Water in the final strides of the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 70 to 90. Northern Water had just taken over the running from Rock Up and had hardly set sights on the winning post when Carina Palace came crushing down on the front runner. The Hussain Aashoor trainee streaked ahead in no time and was safe and away to notch up a half-length victory. Peace Accord also finished with a purpose to finish a close second.
Mohammed Salama saddled Naamah came with a sustained gallop in the last 100 metres to clinch the Local bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate, run over seven furlongs. Jockey Gerald Avranche was astride the winner, which was sporting the colours of Zakhir Stud. Reem Brooq found himself in front and she set a steady pace. Al Marbough was in second with the rest close behind. Naamah settled down the tightly packed field, biding his time, but never too far from the leaders.
Reem Brooq entered the straight with a slender lead with Al Marbough tagging along, while Batel made his move from the outside. Naamah, which had gone winless in 13 outings, picked up momentum in the middle and arrived with a blazing gallop. She collared the front runners in the shadow of the winning post to win by half length from Batel and Bint Al Akaber.
Trainer Salama recorded a rare double with the victory of Free Spin in the Thoroughbred Graduation Plate. Jockey Alberto Sanna came up with a brilliant effort while steering Free Spin to a breathtaking victory over Great White Eagle and Hymenaios.
Umm Qarn’s Nadirah (Gaetan Faucon astride) finally broke through the maiden ranks as the Alban de Mieulle trained four year old bay filly produced a strong run in the homestretch to win the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. Stable mate Thurayya was second ahead of Franchisco.
Mujido (Convertino up) gave a back to back double for Umm Qarn and trainer de Mieulle, while annexing the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 50 to 80. Mouwash led them all the way into the straight and Muhim slipped in through the rails improving position all along the turn and continued to call the shots with a furlong to go. Meanwhile, Convertino showed the daylight to Mujido, who overcame a difficult passage and came charging at the front runner. The finishing burst of the Italian ensured victory for the de Mieulle ward, who won the race in a timing of one minute 20.12 seconds.
RESULTS
1st race: Naamah (Gerald Avranche) 1, Batel 2, Bint Al Akaber 3, Zeer Al Wasmiya 4.Won by: ½, Nk, 3 ½. Time: 1:32.78. Trained by: Mohammed Salama. Owned by: Zakhir Stud
2nd race: Nadirah (Gaetan Faucon) 1, Thurayya 2, Franchisco 3, King Of Doha 4. Won by: 2 ½, Shd, 1. Time: 2:05.68. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn
3rd race: Mujido (Pier Convertino) 1, Heytham 2, Muhim 3, Al Jeali 4. Won by: ½, Shd, ½. Time: 1:20.12. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn
4th race: Free Spin (Alberto Sanna) 1, Great White Eagle 2, Hymenaios 3, Charlie’s Wish 4. Won by: Nk, Nk, ¾. Time: 1;04.65. Trained by: Mohammed Salama. Owned by: Zakhir Stud
5th race: The Blue Eye (Pier Convertino) 1, Itorio 2, Lieutenant Kaffee 3, Mind Of Madness 4. Won by: 1 ½, 1, ½. Time: 1:36.53. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari
6th race: Carina Palace (Pier Convertino) 1, Peace Accord 2, Norhern Water 3, Rock Up 4. Won by: ½, Shd, 1. Time: 1:12.33. Trained by: Hussain Aashoor. Owned by: Al Moqeerat Stud
7th race: Peter Anders (Adrian Nicholls) 1, Janoub Nibras 2, Right To Dream 3, Five Avenue 4. Won by: ½, Nk, 1 ½. Time: 2:18.93. Trained by: Zuhair Mohsen. Owned by: Al Murqab Stud
8th race: Zahrah (Gaetan Faucon) 1, Sraab 2, Amirat Al Qaloob 3, Al Naif Trade Mark 4. Won by: Nk, Shd, 4. Time: 1:39/90. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn
BELOW:
1) QREC general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (right) presents the Umm Al Afai Cup to Umm Qarn’s Eric Ventrou (deputising for trainer Alban de Mieulle) after Zahrah had won the feature event at the QREC yesterday. Right: QREC general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (right) presents the Umm Al Afai Cup to Saad Mubarak al-Hajri, representing Umm Qarn at the presentation ceremony yesterday.
2) Jockey Gaetan Faucon rides Zahrah to a thrilling victory in the feature event at the QREC yesterday.
