By Chris Hoover/Doha
JUBILANT: Trainer Jasim al-Ghazali and Mishal bin Ali al-Attiya lead in Sharid (Yanis Auoabed astride) after winning the Ras Laffan Cup at the QREC yesterday
Jockey Yanis Auoabed’s forceful riding made the difference to the outcome of the Ras Laffan Cup, the feature event of yesterday’s races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.
In a crunch situation, Yanis made the difference as Sharid staved off a stiff challenge from the formidable Qadir to land the spoils in the QR80,000 event. Incidentally this was the first time that Qadir has been beaten in his 25 starts since last season.
The trainer and jockey combination of Ghazali and Yanis dominated the day’s proceeding with four winners each.
Ghazali schooled Tayel set the track ablaze when showing a clean pair of heels to his rivals en route to a commanding victory in the local bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. Tayel with Yanis Auoabed in the driver’s seat came smoothly in the home stretch to take charge of the running and the Ghazali ward never seemed to be in danger of being caught as he stepped up the pace in the final furlong.
Trainer Ghazali who has having a dream run this season added two more to his tally when Casman shed his maiden status with a thrilling win in the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate.
Jockey Yanis completed a hat-trick along with trainer Ghazali with a splendid victory astride Baraari in the Thoroughbred Handicap.
Ghazali has saddled 55 winners to top the trainers points table. “We have always been beaten by Qadir but today I told our team that this is our last opportunity to win a cup race this season. Sharid and Yanis were simply brilliant and it is really great to defeat Qadir who has been unbeaten since the previous season,” Ghazali told the Gulf Times.
ALL SMILES: QREC chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al-Thani (third from left) is seen with the winners of the Ras Laffan Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday
Having saddled 55 winners this season, Ghazali was keen to add a few more winners to set a new a record. “This has been a brilliant season and I am looking to target 60 winners and set a new mark. All this has been possible because of brilliant team work.”
In the day’s other action, jockey Faleh Bughanaim rode out Perfect Friend to a narrow victory in the local Thoroughbred Fillies and Mares Plate, which open to Qatari jockey only.
Saddath preferred to wait with the Ramzani nurtured Perfect Friend in a handy second position even as Granary appeared to have established a comfortable lead. Faleh brought Perfect Friend into contention with a couple of backhanders and got the five-year-old bay filly into top gear.
Perfect Friend came with a smooth run to pass the front-runner in the shadow of the winning post to win by three fourth of a length.
Yousef Bentaher saddled Showbath Al Naif was the other impressive winner of the day. Showbath Al Naif was ridden capably by Frenchman David Badel to win from Thumal Al Naif in the local bred Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 30 to 60.
Results: 1st race: Perfect Friend (Faleh Bughanaim) 1, Granary 2, Saafia 3, Princess India 4. Won by: ¾, 2, 3. Time: 1:36.95. Trained by: Mohammed al-Ramzani. Owned by: Mohammed Nasser al-Ramzani
2nd race: Casman (Yanis Auoabed) 1, Zizane Al Maury 2, Magik D’Or 3, Al Muzdahir 4. Won by: Nk, 2 ½, Nk. Time: 1:20.31. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Doha Stud
3rd race: Tayel (Yanis Auoabed) 1, Al Bouraq 2, Laheeb 3, Raed 4. Won by: 3, 1 ¼, ¾. Time: 1:20.42. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Al Shahania Stud.
4th race: Baraari (Yanis Auoabed) 1, Mefraas 2, El Ameen 3, Qudwah 4. Won by: Hd, ½, Shd. Time: 1:18.46. Trained by:Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Abdullah Mohammed Al Kuwari Sons
5th race: Showbath Al Naif (David Badel) 1, Thumal Al Naif 2, Jalmoud Al Jazeera 3, Jabar 4. Won by: 2 ½, Nk, ¾. Time: 1:46.52. Trained by: Yousef Bentaher. Owned by: Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Ahmed al-Thani .
6th race: Kaher (Stephen Ladjadj) 1, Boreal De La Riviere 2, Colbanric 3, Ghazi 4. Won by: Hd, Nk, 2 ½. Time: 1:47.07. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani.
7th race: Sharid (Yanis Auoabed) 1, Qadir 2, Monita Al Nefos 3, Battal 4. Won by: Hd, 3, Shd. Time: 1:38.76. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Mishal bin Ali al-Attiya.