By Chris Hoover/Doha

QREC chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al-Thani (third from right) and QREC general manager Sami Jassim al-Boenain (extreme right) are seen with the winners of the Zubara Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday
Jockey Darren Wiliams’ forceful riding made the difference to the outcome of the Zubara Cup, the feature event of yesterday’s races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.
In a crunch situation, Williams made the difference as Mogida staved off a stiff challenge from Baraka and Anood Al Hana to land the spoils in the QR 80,000 event.
Despite dropping back after setting a scorching pace for the 1,850m trip, Williams quickly improved his position on Mogida with a second run to be in striking position of Anood Al Hana and Baraka who were waging an intense battle for supremacy. The perseverance of Williams enabled Mogida to win in an exciting three-horse finish.
 “She is  a brilliant horse and I am very happy with her performance today. Though Mogida pulled back after setting the pace, she did well to battle it out. I am glad that Baraka and Anood Al Hana came earlier on than later,“ jockey Williams told the Gulf Times.
Ibrahim al-Malki saddled Kahail regained his winning form with a comfortable victory in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. After a long lay off Kahail had finished a suggestive second to Perigueux in his last outing. Having profited from that run, Kahail showed a clean pair of heels while stretching away from the field to win as he pleased.
The local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate had attracted a small field of five runners but it turned out to a two horse race. Mohammed Hussain schooled Iradah (David Bouland astride) was impressive with her victory on debut. Though Majhoola attempted start to finish tactics, Bouland had Iradah on the haunches of the front runner and when asked for an effort in the final furlong, the Hussain trainee responded well to the urgings of its rider and went past Majhoola to win by a length.

Jockey Darren Williams rides Mogida to victory in the Zubara Cup at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday

After having failed in his previous three starts, Nayif bounced back to win the local bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate, which was open to Qatari jockeys only. Now nursed back to top condition, the Hassan al-Matwi trainee staved off the challenge of the opposition effectively to win with some degree of comfort. Abdullah al-Ghatani was brilliant on the saddle while steering Nayif to a pillar to post victory.
Sheikh Rakan bin Abdullah bin Nasser al-Thani owned Prosherpine had to be ridden out by David Badel to contain the challenge of Harran (Seb Sanders astride) to win the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 30 to 60. It was the power packed ride by Badel that enabled Prosherpine to cover a lot of ground before getting past Harran in virtually the last stride of the race to win by a shorthead.
In the day’s other action, Hareq (Seb Sanders up), from trainer Julian Smart’s yard, showed remarkable turn of foot and stretched away in fine style to record a fluent victory in the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate for Fillies and Mares.
Sanders had another winner for the day, when partnering George Mikhalides schooled Choose Wisely to a thrilling win in the Thoroughbred Stakes.
Alban de Mieulle schooled Nasr recording his second straight victory when the four-year-old chestnut colt came with a late flourish to overhaul Galucci in the shadow of the winning post to win the Thoroughbred Handicap. Jockey Gerard Avranche timed his challenge to a nicety on the winner.
Results:
1st race: Nayif (Abdullah al-Ghatani) 1, Ibhar 2, Shira 3, Samhah 4. Won by: 2, ¾, Hd. Time: 1:47.48. Owned and trained by: Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi
2nd race: Iradah (David Bouland) 1, Majhoola 2, Al Mansoor 3, Great Beauty 4. Won by: 1, Distance, Distance. Time: 1:16,52. Trained by: Mohammed Hussain. Owned by: Dr Mohammed Rashid al-Ardhi al-Marri
3rd race: Hareq (Seb Sanders) 1, Stroll 2, Mansourah 3, Marikitah 4. Won by: 2 ½, 1 ¾, 1. Time: 1:46.51. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: Al Shahania Stud
4th race: Kahail (Adrie de Vries) 1, El Ameen 2, Norsili 3, Alhaweja 4. Won by: 2, ½, Shd. Time: 1:23.13. Trained by: Ibrahim al-Malki. Owned by: Hassan Ali Abdulmalik
5th race: Nasr (Gerard Avranche) 1, Galucci 2, Mganga 3, Jaaeyza 4. Won by: ½, 2 ½, 2 ½. Time: 2:04.71. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn Farms
6th race: Prosherpine (David Badel) 1, Harran 2, Za’eem 3, Cobalto 4. Won by: Shd, 1, 2. Time: 1:30.65. Trained by: Yousef Bentaher. Owned by: Sheikh Rakan bin Abdullah bin Nasser al-Thani
7th race: Choose Wisely (Seb Sanders) 1, Ladyanne 2, One Cool Bex 3, Periguex 4. Won by: ¾, 1 ¾, ¾. Time: 1:10.80. Trained by: George Mikhalides. Owned by: Sheikh Hamad bin Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani
8th race: Mogida (Darren Williams) 1, Baraka 2, Anood Al Hana 3, Marbat Al Faras 4. Won by: Hd, Hd, 4. Time: 2:06.51. Trained by: Abdulaziz al-Qaithri. Owned by: Abdulaziz Ali al-Qaithri