Yanis rides Ladyanne to Zekreet Cup victory

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 Zekreet Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday

Jassim al-Ghazali trained Ladyanne had to be ridden out by Yanis Auoabed to contain the challenge of stable mate Saafia (Avranche astride) to win the Zekreet Cup, which featured the day’s races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. Trainer Ghazali hogged the day’s limelight with four winners in a card of eight events famed for the day. The talented trainer has 62 winners and looks good to add a few more to his tally. Apache started the winner trend for Ghazali when Gerald Avranche  took the Ghazali trainee to a start-to-finish victory in the local Throughbred Handicap.  The four-year-old bay filly took charge of the proceedings as the eight-horse field settled down after crossing the first furlong, with Shaqran, Smiling Assasin and Majd Al Arab racing in close attendance. The order remained the same till the horses entered the homestretch but it was clear to everyone that Apache was easily the best travelling of the lot, cruising up and waiting for the brakes to be released. With a couple of reminders from its rider, Apache sped away from the rest to win quite comfortably.Ghazali’s other wards, Jelmud and Hunting also put in some brilliant winning performances to reign supreme in their respective races. Jelmud had to be hard ridden by jockey Gerald Avranche to overhaul Boreal De La Riviere in the Pure Arabian Graduation Plate. Qatari jockey Jassim al-Kaabi completed the tally for Ghazali when he rode out Hunting Tartan to an impressive victory in the Thoroughbred Open. “This has been my best season and I am very happy with the achievement. This has all been possible because of the support from my owners and support staff. Though he was not a very expensive purchase, Ladyanne has proved his worth while beating some of the best horses here,” trainer Ghazali told the Gulf Times.George Mikhalides schooled Al Mustanfir shed his maiden status when he easily accounted for the opposition in the 1,400 metres local bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. The three-year old who finished fifith to Majd in his last run, has been on the upgrade and should go on to record an encore. After setting the pace, Al Mustanfir skipped away from the rest at the top of the straight. Jockey Darren Williams rode a well judged race on the winner.Trainer Mikhalides had another for the winner for the day when Flying Destination literally flew with a devastating run in the final furlong to win the Thoroughbred Graduation Plate for three-year-olds. Williams had to use all the resources at his command to keep at bay the challenge of Ferdinand Magelot and Mefraas, who put in a spirited effort but found the winner too good on the day.Results: 1st race: Al Mustanfir (Darren Williams) 1, Robbama 2, Mikhlab 3, Tanall Al Naif 4. Won by: 3, 3 ½, 1 ½. Time: 1:34.86. Trained by: George Mikhalides. Owned by: Sheikh Mohammed bin Mishal bin Hamda al-Thani 2nd race: Apache (Gerald Avranche) 1, Smiling Assasin 2, Shaqran 3, Majd Al Arab 4. Won by: 1 ¼, 1 ¼, ½. Time: 1:29.83. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Mishal bin Ali al-Attiya 3rd race: Flying Destination (Darren Williams) 1, Ferdinand Magelot 2, Mefraas 3, Acamar 4. Won by: 1, Hd, 2. Time: 1:37.20. Trained by: George Mikhalides. Owned by: Sheikha Ayisha bint Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani4th race: Thumal Al Naif (Gerald Avranche) 1, Jabar 2, Jalmoud Al Jazera 3, Foze 4. Won by: Nk, 2 ½, Nk. Time: 1:47.41. Trained by: Mohammed Khalid. Owned by: Subaiya Awad Ibrahim5th race: Jelmud (Gerald Avranche) 1, Boreal De La Riviere 2, Tres’or 3, Maseh 4. Won by: Nk, ½, ½. Time: 1:46.93. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Al Wasmiyah Farm 6th race: Logic Way (Marvin Suerland) 1, Dubawi King 2, Miss Starlight 3, Febo Apolo 4. Won by: 3 ½, ½, 1 ¼.  Time: 1:54.68. Trained by: Ibrahim al-Malki. Owned by: Hassan Ali Abdulmalik7th race: Hunting Tartan (Jassim al-Kaabi) 1, Baraari 2, Brief Encounter 3, Storm Sir 4. Won by: 2 ½, 1 ¾, Hd. Time: 1:36.44. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Abdulatif Ali al-Misnad8th race: Ladyanne (Yanis Auoabed) 1, Saafia 2, Flying Lady 3, Miss Faustina 4. Won by: ½, 2, Shd. Time: 1:36.57. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Mohammed Abdulaziz al-Badi