Naseeb Zakhir returned to the winner’s enclosure after producing a thrilling late charge to capture the day’s feature, the Mesaieed Cup, a Local Purebred Arabian Handicap over 1300m, prevailing by a head at Al Uqda Racecourse Wednesday.
Always prominent, the five-year-old grey unleashed a decisive burst inside the final 100m to reel in long-time leader AJS Kabul in the closing strides. Trained by Osama Omer al-Dafea and expertly partnered by Faleh Bughenaim, Naseeb Zakhir secured his second victory of the season, complementing four runner-up efforts in an admirably consistent campaign.
Earlier on the card, Overrule opened proceedings by winning the Thoroughbred Handicap, trained by Mohammed Hassan al-Matwi and partnered by Szczepan Mazur.
The Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate was claimed by Lubara, who broke her maiden for trainer Jean de Mieulle under Bughenaim.
Debutant Muraaqib made a winning start in the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, scoring for trainer M.H.K. al-Attiyah with Mazur aboard.
The Local Thoroughbred Handicap went to Moharb, trained by Jassim al-Ghazali and ridden by Pierre Charles Boudot.
Among the Arabians, Kawaii D’Vialettes captured the Purebred Arabian Handicap (1200m) for trainer Ahmed al-Jehani under Saleh Faraj al-Otaibi, while M’tawa El Saa’yeb dominated the Purebred Arabian Handicap (2000m) for Hamad al-Jehani, partnered by Jefferson Smith.
RESULTS
39th Al Uqda Race Meeting - Mesaieed Cup
WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
1 - Mesaieed Cup - Local Purebred Arabian Handicap 75-95 (Class 3)
Naseeb Zakhir, Eng. Osama Omer al-Dafea, Faleh Bughenaim
2 - Purebred Arabian Handicap (65-85)
M'tawa El Saa'yeb, Hamad al-Jehani, Jefferson Smith
3 - Purebred Arabian Handicap (65-85)
Kawaii D'Vialettes, Ahmed al-Jehani, Saleh Faraj al-Otaibi
4 - Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-55)
Moharb, Jassim al-Ghazali, Pierre Charles Boudot
5 - Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate
Muraaqib, MHK al-Attiyah, Szczepan Mazur
6 - Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate
Lubara, Jean de Mieulle, Faleh Bughenaim
7 - Thoroughbred Handicap (45-65)
Overrule, Mohammed Hassan al-Matwi, Szczepan Mazur
