Jockey Gerald Avranche completed his hat-trick on the day when he rode Osama al-Dafea’s Shidad to victory

Abdulatif Hussain al-Emadi-owned Mango Tango may have ended her last season with a disappointing finish in April, but she certainly opened the new season with a thrilling win at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club here yesterday.
On her first dirt race in Qatar, the four-year-old filly, ridden by Eduardo Pedroza for trainer Ibrahim al-Malki, did well to stay ahead of in-form Zman Awal, who won the first feature this season three weeks ago for trainer Hadi al-Ramzani, on the home stretch, and eventually finish a length ahead of Alberto Sanna’s ride in the 1700m race. Champion trainer Jassim Ghazali was without a win on the day, with Regality finishing third under Pier Convertino.
Jockey Gerald Avranche completed his hat-trick on the day when he rode Osama al-Dafea’s Shidad to victory in the Local Thoroughbred Handicap event yesterday.
Shidad had never raced on dirt in Qatar before, but yesterday, the four-year-old colt held on by a head against Mohamed Riyaz-trained Gaza VI, while Carlo Fiocchi helmed Stefano Ibido-saddled Shatir Bu Thaila to third place.
Avranche had earlier guided Al Murqab Stud-owned gelding Bluebeard to a half-a-length victory in the Thoroughbred Graduation Plate event for maidens, one- and two-time winners.
The win was Zuhair Mohsen’s ward won for the second straight victory, this time on dirt.
Bluebeard beat Ibrahim al-Malki-schooled Perfect Storm, while latter’s stablemate Open ‘N Shut rounded up the top three.
Avranche also helmed Majed Seifeddine’s Al Hawjaa in the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate event. Ahmed Kobeissi-trained Khor Al Adaid edged out Jassim Ghazali-schooled Al Fouz in a thrilling duel for his second career victory in the Purebred Arabian Handicap event for horses rated 70 and below.
Tomas Lukasek-ridden Khor Al Adaid and Pier Convertino-helmed Al Fouz left behind the rest of the field, with another Ghazali ward, Al Mansab, third under Harry Bentley.
Earlier in the day, two horses owned by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani made a winning debut with Carlo Fiocchi guiding I Am Lightning to victory in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate event for trainer Stefano Ibido, while Alberto Sanna helmed Julian Smart-trained Sauda to win the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate event for fillies and mares.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Thani al-Thani’s Sly Fly opened the day with a win in the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate event.
 
RESULTS
Race 1: 1. Sly Fly (Eduardo Pedroza), 2. Gharam Lehshiiyat (Marc Lerner), 3. Reem Brooq (Abdulla al-Marri), 4. Al Thakhira (Alberto Sanna). Won by: Hd, Hd, 3/4. Owner: Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Thani al-Thani. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki.
Race 2: 1. I Am Lightning (Carlo Fiocchi), 2. Woodkid (Alberto Sanna), 3. Almasah (Marvin Suerland), 4. Atlantic Sea (JP Guillambert). Won by: 5, Shd, 2. Owner: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: Stefano Ibido.
Race 3: 1. Al Hawjaa (Gerald Avranche), 2. Aws (Adnan Hawa), 3. Ghalaad (Pier Convertino), 4. Oyoon Lulwah (Tomas Lukasek). Won by: 1/4, No, 1/4. Owner: Rashid bin Mubarak al-Jafali al-Naimi. Trainer: Majed Seifeddine.
Race 4: 1. Sauda (Alberto Sanna), 2. Rahibah (Harry Bentley), 3. Nairouz (Carlo Fiocchi), 4. Al Rafeaa (Saleem Golam). Won by: 1 3/4, 3/4, 1 3/4. Owner: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: Julian Smart.
Race 5: 1. Bluebeard (Gerald Avranche), 2. Perfect Storm (Eduardo Pedroza), 3. Open ‘N Shut (Saleem Golam), 4. Third Order (JP Guillambert). Won by: 1/2, Nk, 4. Owner: Al Murqab Stud. Trainer: Zuhair Mohsen.
Race 6: 1. Khor Al Adaid (Tomas Lukasek), 2. Al Fouz (Pier Convertino), 3. Al Mansab (Harry Bentley), 4. Chabib (Jean Baptiste Hamel). Won by: 1/4, 8, 1 3/4. Owner: Essa Mohamed al-Sulaiti. Trainer: Ahmed Kobeissi.
Race 7: 1. Shidad (Gerald Avranche), 2. Gaza VI (Pier Convertino), 3. Shatir Bu Thaila (Carlo Fiocchi), 4. Mahbooba (Marvin Suerland). Won by : Hd, 1, 3 1/2. Owner: Osama Omer al-Dafea. Trainer: Osama Omer al-Dafea.
Race 8: 1. Mango Tango (Eduardo Pedroza), 2. Zman Awal (Alberto Sanna), 3. Regality (Pier Convertino), 4. Hillside Dream (Harry Bentley). Won by: 1, 1/4, 1/4. Owner: Abdulatif Hussain al-Emadi. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki.