Resistance (Theo Bachelot up, right) takes the lead over Al Dhakira (Pierre-Charles Boudot, centre) and Svoul (Umberto Rispoli) during Prix Borax at Saint-Cloud Racecourse yesterday. RIGHT: Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club chairman HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Faleh al-Thani hands over the winner's trophy for Qatar Arabian Trophy for Fillies at Saint-Cloud Racecourse yesterday.
By Sports Reporter/Paris
Muraaqib stayed true to his favourite status in the Qatar Total Arabian Trophy when he picked up a thrilling win over RB Burn in the Group 1 race for Purebred Arabian colts at Saint-Cloud Racecourse yesterday.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed al-Maktoum-owned Munjiz progeny had come to yesterday's 2,000m race on the back of an impressive win in the Al Rayyan Cup-Prix Kebseroy (Gr 1 PA) and ensured that he kept his momentum going.
Alsaker, owned by Royal Cavalry of Oman and trained by Thomas Fourcy, rounded up the top three at the race.
Another one of the Fourcy charges, Ziyadd, finished fourth ahead of HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani's Rasheed, who had only started once before yesterday's race. Al Shaqab Racing's Aba'ath had progressed well from his fifth place finish in the Al Rayyan Cup-Prix Kesberoy (Gr 1 PA) to winning the Group 3 race for Pure Arabians Prix Cheri Bibi, but yesterday, he had to settle for sixth place.
Cheik Roque, Caud de L'Ardus, Al Bateel and Cristal des Vialettes finished in that order. In the Qatar Arabian Trophy for the fillies, Mabrooka put on show the speed she is known for to win the Group 1 race for Purebred Arabians ahead of Royal Cavalry of Oman's Worood.
Mabrooka, owned by Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed al-Nahyan, was first of the four Emirati horses in top five.
Sheikh Mansoor's Naziq and Shakrra, finished third and fourth ahead of Deyaar, owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Al Shaqab Racing's Ghobat Bahar was sixth ahead of Rihan, Hania D.A., Princess Monlau and La Musawama.
Qatar came closest to a win in Prix Borax, a 1600m Conditions race with a prize purse of 24,000 euros.
Qatar Racing Limited’s Svoul took the lead halfway through the race going into the bend and on to the straight. On the straight, HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Al Dhakira and Resistance of Ecurie Skymarc Farm began the chase. The two then overwhelmed Svoul toward the end and Resistance managed to take the win with 3/4 length advantage over Al Dhakira.
Three Qatari horses in fray for qatar total arabian trophy des juments
Three Qatari horses will try and wrest the Qatar Total Arabian
Trophy des Juments at Longchamp today from the favourite, Sylvine Al Maury.
The Royal Cavalry of Oman-owned mare has done well in recent times against best males of her generation and has won twice in as many months at La Teste-de-Buch over 1900m coming into today’s Group 1 PA.
Al Shaqab Racing’s Bint Jakkarta and Majida had finished second and third respectively in the Prix Nevadour (Gr1 PA) behind Sylvine Al Maury last month and will be looking to get the better of Elizabeth Bernard-trained four-year-old this time round.
Yathrib, who had finished fourth, in that August 21 race, will be trying her luck this time.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani-owned Gidwa will also be in the fray for the 150,000 euro race. After three wins in Doha, Julian Smart-trained Gidwa tried herself in Europe. She finished seventh in the Qatar Derby des pur-sang arabe de 4ans (Gr2 PA) and fifth in the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1 PA).
With so many challengers, Sylvine Al Maury will have the company of Bellone du Croate, her stable and training partner. While Bellone du Croate has not shown similar success, she has been entered in the race to ensure a good pace for the favourite. The field of eight runners is completed by Bachair Qardabiyah and Youjiza.
Bachair Qardabiyah took two places in good lots for her last runs. She finished fourth in the high quality Duty Free Hatta International Stakes (Gr1 PA) and second in the Shadwell Arabian Derby (Gr1 PA).
Youjiza has performed remarkably well in Morocco, her native country. For her first try in France, she finished seventh in the Doha Cup (Gr1 PA).
