Winsome Hearts dazzles with Qatar Cup win

Mohammed Nasser al-Ramzani trained Winsome Hearts who is in rousing form, put in a dazzling display while annexing the Qatar Cup, a 1,500 metres Thoroughbred Stakes race, the highlight of the fifth race meeting at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club on Thursday. The fancied Granary  hit the front as the field was dispatched from the gates. Jaafer raced in a handy fourth position, with the others close on his heels. Rounding the final bend, Granary (Liam Jones up) continued to call the shots and established a sizeable lead. Marvin Suerland was bidding his time on Winsome Hearts, but once alerted to the task on hand, the Ramzani trainee gathered momentum and came with giant strides to overhaul Granary in the vicinity of the wining post to win by three fourths of a length.“Last week he won very easy against some very good horses. I knew we had a very good chance but I was scared only about Granary , who took the lead very soon. I followed her and caught her near the post. This was a brilliant performance by Winsome Hearts, who is in great form,” jockey Suerland told the Gulf Times.“We were quite confident of winning this race as Winsome Hearts was in good condition. After beating such a strong field, we consider Winsome Hearts as the best Thoroughbred in Qatar. Jockey Suerland was also brilliant on the saddle,” an overjoyed owner Hassan Tahous al-Naimi said.Jockey Darren Williams continued his winning ways with yet another double for the day. Williams rode Majid Safedeen saddled General Duke’s to a comprehensive victory in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, the opening event of the day. Later in the day, the talented rider had to use all the resources at his command to overcome the challenge of former stable mate Haizum in the local bred Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 50 to 80. Qatar’s only lady jockey Khadija Abdulwahed was also in the limelight. Khadija partnered Manyer to a comfortable victory in the local Thoroughbred Handicap. The Thoroughbred Handicap was witness to an exciting finish. Indian apprentice jockey Nayed Alam took Michaelmas Daisy on a successful start to finish mission. Though Handicraft (Adnan Hawa astride) posed a serious threat in the final stages of the race, Alam was upto the task as he held on gamely in a keenly contested race.Results: 1st race: General Duke’s (Darren Williams) 1, Striking The Wind 2, Sixpenny Moon 3, Merry Bean 4. Won by: 7, ½, 1 ½. Time: 1:24.49. Trained by: Majid Safedeen. Owned by: Mubarak Saeed al-Naimi2nd race: Manayer (Khadija Abdulwahed) 1, Apache 2, Al Naif Sprint 3, Al Naif Future 4. Won by: 3 ½, ½, ½. Time: 1:26.70. Trained by: A. Abbas. Owned by: Khalid Nasser al-Naimi3rd race: Michaelmas Daisy (Nayed Alam) 1, Handicraft 2, Red Harlequin 3, Safonic Sound 4. Won by: Nk, 2, 1 ½. Time: 1:32.40. Trained by: H. Aashoor. Owned by:Al Moqeerat Stud 4th race: Al Mujahaz (Darren Williams) 1, Haizum 2, Al Muntakhan 3, Thumal Al Naif 4.  Won by: 1, 1, ¾. Time: 1:39.45. Trained by: George Mikhalides. Owned by: Sheikh Hamad bin Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani 5th race: Winsome Hearts (Marvin Suerland) 1, Granary 2, Honest Prospector 3, Footloose Man 4. Won by: ¾, 1 ½, Hd. Time: 1:30.35. Trained by: Mohammed Nasser al-Ramzani.  Owned by: Hassan Tahous al-Naimi