Studio City produced an authoritative performance to claim the day’s feature, the 2,000m Thoroughbred Handicap and the Lisha Cup, at Al Uqda Racecourse Thursday.
Drawn in barrier two, the six-year-old chestnut tracked prominently in third before launching a decisive run in the home straight, surging past rivals to win by 3¼ lengths.
The victory extended his impressive campaign, marking his second win from three starts alongside a runner-up finish for owner Faleh Suwayed al-Ajami.
Trainer Mohammed al-Ghazali celebrated his third winner of the evening, while jockey Lukas Delozier completed a double.
Head of Racing Operations at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Rashid Saed Adiba presented the Lisha Cup trophies to the connections.
Earlier, Weissmuller, trained by Hamad al-Jehani and ridden by Pierre Charles Boudot, won the Thoroughbred Handicap (85-105) by a head.
In the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (75-95), Alberto Sanna rode Jassim al-Ghazali-trained Al-Yaseen Zakhir to win.
In other race, Samsa Al Shahania crossed the line 2¼ lengths clear in the Purebred Arabian Novice Plate, trained by Rudy Nerbonne with Delozier in the saddle.
Temple Of Hera claimed the Thoroughbred Handicap (55-75) under Nayef Batal al-Otibi’s training, with Salman Fahad al-Hajri riding.
Noble Patron, trained by Mohammed Balasim al-Jumaili and partnered with Szczepan Mazur, won the Thoroughbred Handicap (55-75).
In the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-65), Taimoor, trained by Mohammed Hassan al-Matwi, prevailed with Saleh Faraj al-Otaibi up, while al-Ghazali-trained Dance Acclaim, secured the Thoroughbred Handicap (0-60) under al-Otaibi.
My George, also trained by al-Ghazali and partnered with Soufiane Saadi, finished fastest in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for three-year-olds.
RESULTS
34th Al Uqda Race Meeting - Lisha Cup
WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
1 - Lisha Cup - Thoroughbred Handicap 70-90
Studio City, Mohammed al-Ghazali, Lukas Delozier
2 - Thoroughbred Handicap (85-105)
Weissmuller, Hamad al-Jehani, Pierre Charles Boudot
3 - Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (75-95)
Al-Yaseen Zakhir, Jassim al-Ghazali, Alberto Sanna
4 - Purebred Arabian Novice Plate
Samsa Al Shahania, Rudy Nerbonne, Lukas Delozier
5: Thoroughbred Handicap (55-75)
Temple Of Hera, Nayef Batal al-Otibi, Salman Fahad al-Hajri
6 - Thoroughbred Handicap (55-75), 3YO+, 1300m, Div. 1
Noble Patron, Mohammed Balasim al-Jumaili, Szczepan Mazur
7 - Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-65)
Taimoor, Mohammed Hassan al-Matwi, Saleh Faraj al-Otaibi
8 - Thoroughbred Handicap (0-60)
Dance Acclaim, Mohammed al-Ghazali, Saleh Faraj al-Otaibi
9 - Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, 3YOs
My George, Mohammed
al-Ghazali, Soufiane Saadi