QREC general manager Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi and other officials are seen with winners of the Yousef Al Romaihi Cup, the feature race of the day, at the presentation ceremony yesterday. Picture: Juhaim
By Chris Hoover/Doha
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani owned Al Atique from the stables of Julian Smart, put in a dazzling display while annexing the Yousef Al Romaihi Cup, a 2,400 race for Pure Arabians, which featured the eight event card at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.
Jockey Alberto Sanna settled Al Atique in a handy second position as the field settled down and got the Smart trainee into a fine rhythm. Once they turned for home, Al Atique galloped on impressively and sailed to victory fighting off the spirited effort of Omani challenger Raddad.
The Pure Arabian Maiden Plate witnessed a thrilling contest where Ghazali trained Mu’arda edged out Al Adaamani in the last stride of the race. Jockey Stephane Ladjadj had Tarek Al Mels race in midbunch and pounced on the front runners when the race got to the business end of it.
Meanwhile, in form jockey Bentley gathered momentum on Mu’arda, who quickly came along to dispute for the lead. With Tarek Al Mels unrelenting to the pressure, a keen tussle ensued between the two. With the stable mates going stride for stride, an exciting finish was on the cards.
Mu’arda and Tarek Al Mels went past the winning post locked together in a nail biting finish. The photo finish was able to seperate the two and Mu’arda was declared the winner. Umm Qarn’s Amid also finished on well to take the third place.
Bentley took his tally to 77 wins with a comfortable victory astride Ghazali trained Sherston in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 70 to 90.
After finishing twice third, Yousef Bentaher saddled Al Naif Never Mind put in a gutsy performance while annexing the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate and shed his maiden status. Though Bersha set a fast pace, jockey Gerald Avranche had Al Naif Never Mind in mid bunch, bidding his time to make the move. With Bersha unable to sustain the lead, Takfaa assumed command but had the Bentaher trainee close on his heels.
Once shown the daylight, Al Naif Never Mind changed gears and went away to win by over a length. He seems to have struck form and is capable of an encore when saddled next.
A brilliant piece of riding by Evert Phieffer enabled Ibrahim al-Malki schooled Aqdaar to clinch a hard fought start to finish victory in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for three year olds. Phieffer and Aqdaar were quickly off the blocks and set a fast pace for the mile race.
Entering the homestretch, Aqdaar continued to call the shots even as Bentley brought Akeed Misk to dispute for the lead. Aqdaar and Akeed Misk went stride for stride in the 100 metres with the former was unrelenting to the pressure. They went past the post locked together with Aqdaar prevailing by a shorthead.
Mohanad al-Yaqout saddled Double Look put up a gritty show to deny hard ridden Lion D’Anvers (Ladjadj up) a victory in the Thoroughbred Graduation Plate. Going for it from the start, Lion D’Anvers held the upper hand right through the race.
He entered the homestretch with a slender lead and had his work cut out as Double Look and Bal De France were too close for comfort. Double Look was the one to raise hopes as he inched closer with every stride. The duo battled it out in the final furlong and Avranche astride Double Look deserves credit for keeping his mount going all through and overhaul off the serious challenge of Lion D’Anvers. Bal De France was a further length behind in third.
In another thrilling contest, jockey Tadgh O’Shea came with a brilliant effort while steering Julian Smart saddled Meghwaar to a narrow victory over stable mate Radwah in the Pure Arabian Graduation Plate, run over 2,000 metres. Using all the resources at his command, O’Shea powered Meghwaar to a three fourth length win over Radwah who was gaining places along the rails nut found her stable mate, the better horse on the day.
Results
1st race: Mu’arda (Harry Bentley) 1, Tarek Al Mels 2, Amid 3, Bonnaparte 4. Won by: Hd, ½, 6. Time: 1:21.05.Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani
2nd race: Al Naif Never Mind (Gerald Avranche) 1, Takfaa 2, Tiryaq 3, Saif Al Shujaa 4. Won by: 1 ¼, 3, 1. Time: 1:40.55. Trained by: Yousef Bentaher.
Owned by: Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al-Ahmed al-Thani
3rd race: Aqdaar (Evert Phieffer) 1, Akeed Misk 2, Istifzaz 3, Tumut 4. Won by: Shd, 1 ¼, Nk. Time: 1:39.52. Trained by: Ibrahim al-Malki. Owned by: Ibrahim Saeed al-Malki
4th race: Double Look (Gerald Avranche) 1, Lion D’Anvers 2, Bal De France 3, Charlie’s Wish 4. Won by: Shd, 1, Shd. Time: 2:06.35. Trained by: Mohanad al-Yaqout. Owned by: Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa al-Attiya
5th race: Meghwaar (Tadgh O’Shea) 1, Radwah 2, Haraz Al Naif 3, Safwan 4. Won by: ¾, Nk, 2. Time: 2:15.04. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani
6th race: Azma (Marco Monteriso) 1, Maxentius 2, Sunley Pride 3, Who’s That Chick 4. Won by: Nk, 2 ½, 1. Time: 1:23.94. Trained by: S. Ibido. Owned by: Abdulhadi Mana al-Hajri
7th race: Sherston (Harry Bentley) 1, Crafted 2, Jumaira Tower 3, Rockinanate 4. Won by: 1, ¾, Nk. Time: 1:36.71. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani
8th race: Al Atique (Alberto Sanna) 1, Raddad 2, Abhar 3, Aziz Al Shahania 4. Won by: 1, 1, 1 ¼. Time: 2:43.38. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani
