Jalila Alghania, in the colours of Sheikh Talal Nasser al-Thani, claimed the End Of Year Cup at the Al Uqda Racecourse Wednesday.
The four-year-old bay filly returned to winning ways with a polished performance by winning the Local Purebred Arabian Graduation Plate for four-year-old+ over 1300m (Class 4), contested by a field of 14 runners.
The Hadi al-Ramzani trained filly, partnered by Gavin Matt Ryan, the winner of last season’s Local Purebred Arabian Oaks completed a double for the trainer–jockey combination, who had also combined to land the day’s opener, closing the meeting as they started it.
Breaking sharply from a wide draw in barrier 13, Jalila Alghania was immediately ridden positively to race prominently in second. Galeb Al Shahania showed early speed to lead before Muqtarib briefly took over, only for Azzam FBR to assume control and set the pace through the middle stages. As the lead changed hands, Jalila Alghania continued to travel smoothly just off the speed, biding her time with Galeb Al Shahania close behind approaching the home turn. Windsor, who had settled in midfield, began to improve into contention around the bend. Entering the home straight, Jalila Alghania was released and quickly asserted, striking the front with Galeb Al Shahania mounting a serious challenge from the outside and Windsor also making ground wider out.
For a brief moment, Galeb Al Shahania looked a genuine threat, albeit the winner still travelling strongly. Passing the 200m, Jalila Alghania found another gear, opening up a decisive advantage and pulling clear to score by 1¼ lengths. Galeb Al Shahania stayed on resolutely to secure second for Al Eida Racing, trained by Jassim al-Ghazali and ridden by Marco Casamento while Windsor, representing Umm Al Shukhut Farm and guided by Alberto Sanna for trainer Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed finished third, a further 1½ lengths adrift.
Hardan bounced back to winning ways in the card opener, the Purebred Arabian Handicap (45–65) for three-year-old+ over 1200m, Class 6, producing a strong late effort to score by two and a quarter lengths from 13 runners. The seven-year-old grey horse, carrying the colours of Miss Maryam Abdulrahman al-Jaber, from the Hadi Al Ramzani yard and guided by Matt Ryan, recorded his first success of the campaign at the eighth attempt, taking his total record to six wins, after finishing runner-up last time out.
RESULTS
30th Al Uqda Race Meeting - End Of Year Cup
WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
1 - End Of Year Cup, Local Purebred Arabian Graduation Plate
Jalila Alghania, Hadi al-Ramzani, Gavin Matt Ryan
2 - Thoroughbred Handicap (60-80)
Loaded Gun, Jassim al-Ghazali, Marco Casamento
3 - Purebred Arabian Handicap (65-85)
Al Kazim, Gassim Al Ghazal, Marco Casamento
4 - Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-55)
Royalty, Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, Damien Morin
5 - Thoroughbred Handicap (0-70)
Thanks Forever, Jihad El Ahmad, Saleh Salem al-Marri
6 - Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate
Al Ryan Park, Jassim al-Ghazali, Marco Casamento
7 - Purebred Arabian Handicap (45-65)
Hardan, Hadi al-Ramzani, Gavin Matt Ryan
