Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim al-Malki trained Topsy Turvy (Pivotal x Helter Helter) bagged the Late Abdulaziz Al Fuhaid Cup, the feature race on dirt on Wednesday, at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.
Ridden by Eduardo Pedroza in the colours of Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, the six-year-old registered his fourth victory this season. In the 1800m race, the gelding beat Deborah Amanda Clare Mountain trained Shabbab (Siyouni x Floride) by two lengths.
The result was the third straight runner up finish for the Hassan Ali al-Abdulmalik owned gelding. Qatari jockey Faleh Bughanaim helmed Hadi Nasser Rashid al-Ramzani trained Vitally Important (Pivotal x Kirkinola) to a third place finish.
PUREBRED ARABIAN CONDITIONS
Umm Qarn’s Barra (Munjiz x Daniah) made his preference for the course and distance evidently clear when the Alban Elie Marie de Mieulle trained colt registered his third victory over six furlongs on Wednesday.
Helmed by Jean Baptiste Hamel, the five-year-old won a thrilling race, beating Hadi Nasser Rashid al-Ramzani trained MJ LATTAM (AF Albahar x Menwat Al Jazeera) by a quarter of a length at the line. Saleem Golam ridden Samhan Al Shajaa (Zaeem Al Shajaa x Al Moqawama), trained by Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi, completed the top three.
LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP (85 & below)
Sheikh Jassim bin Suhaim al-Thani’s Saher Elleil al-Sulaimi (Za’eem ASF x Eau Aime) was the third winner on the day for Champion Trainer Jassim Mohamed Ghazali Jahromi and jockey JP Guillambert.
The five-year-old, who had come into Wednesday’s race with a C&D victory to his name, picked up a close victory, his second, edging out Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim al-Malki trained Afreetah (Majd Al Arab x Raleuse De Faust) by a quarter of a length.
Saleem Golam ridden mare finished one and a half length ahead of Pierre Jehan Andre Deymonax’s Ishfaq (Asraa Min Al Barq x Djazie) for her second place finish.
PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP (80 & below)
A dominant run on the straight saw Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari trained Rahibah (Amer x Malakbe) lead a one-two for Champion Trainer Jassim Mohamed Ghazali Jahromi in the six furlong sprint.
The six-year-old had a C&D victory in January before registering two C&D runner-up finishes coming into Wednesday’s race.
Helmed by JP Guillambert, the mare finished five and a half lengths ahead of Harry Bentley ridden Al Malhoufa (Mahabb x Al Jazeera), who did enough to edge out Alban Elie Marie de Mieulle trained Bint Amir (Amer x Al Hanoof), with Qatari rider Rashid Ali al-Marri astride, by a neck for the second spot.
THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 4) (80 & below)
Injaaz Stud’s Ventura Shadow (Equiano x Stavinsk’s Gal) registered her second victory this season when JP Guillambert helmed the mare to a comfortable victory in the 1100m sprint. Mohamed Riyaz Ibrahim Kasim’s ward, who made it to the frame on her last outing after a series of disappointing finishes that followed the season opening win, went past the post a little less than three lengths ahead of Jassim Mohamed Ghazali Jahromi’s Sheikspear (Bahamian Bounty x Crinkle), ridden by Harry Bentley, while Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim al-Malki trained Greyscape (Dark Angel x Sugar Blossom) was third under Eduardo Pedroza.
THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 5) (70 & below)
Galaxy (Oratorio x Gravitation) was the second straight winner for trainer Zuhair Mohsen Zuhair Maki on the day. In the process, the gelding bounced back from a string of disappointing finishes to notch his first victory since December 2014. Ridden by Marc Lerner, the seven-year-old had enough going for him in the race to win by a comfortable margin of two lengths, ahead of Jassim Mohamed Ghazali Jahromi trained Masked Defender (First Defence x Costume). Harry Bentley was astride the 3yo that edged out Hadi Nasser Rashid al-Ramzani schooled Strategic Way (Strategic Prince x Polyegos) by a neck for the second spot.
THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE (Class 6)
Kelly Harrison gave Lahdan (Style Vendome x Home and Away) a fantastic ride for a smashing victory in the 2000m race leading a one-two for trainer Zuhair Mohsen Zuhair Maki. After a forgettable debut in Qatar over six furlongs last time out, the 3yo dropped in class and stepped up in distance and that worked wonders for the colt as he won by a dominant six and a half lengths. Marvin Suerland was astride the second placed Al Mikdam (Myboycharlie x Kilfarasy), who finished runner up for the second straight outing. Hamad Ateeq al-Marri schooled Reem Texas (Dialed In x Stevie’s Afleet) completed the top three under Jean Baptiste Hamel.
THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE (Class 6)
With a huge weight advantage, Jassim Mohamed Ghazali Jahromi trained Beckton (Finjaan x Stormy Weather) shed her maiden status in the card opener. Ridden by Harry Bentley in the colours of Tameem Sultan Ghanim al-Hodaifi al-Kuwari, the three-year-old, running on dirt for the first time since her arrival in Qatar, went past the post with two lengths and a quarter in hand in the six furlong race. Tomas Lukasek ridden Acclaimed Dancer (Acclamation x Belly Dancer) finished second for trainer Hadi Nasser Rashid al-Ramzani, while Abdulaziz Ali al-Kathiri trained Cristofano Allori (Shamardal x Perfect Touch) continued with his run of frame finishes under Stephan Ladjadj.
