By Chris Hoover/DohaJulian Smart trained Asraa Min Albarq was driven out for a narrow win over stable mate Jaafer in the Group III HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup, a terms race for Pure Arabians, four-year-olds and over, the feature event of yesterday`s races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. Jaafer who has had his share of niggles, shaped to overhaul Asraa Min Albarq with a furlong out but the nine-year old put up a determined effort and pulled away to prevail by half a length.Another winner for Smart came through Laheeb Al Shahania (Nizam-Abajdara D’Arocco) when the talented colt completed the formality of going through with the motions of completing the 1,200 metres trip en route to recording his maiden victory. The Smart trainee made it a one horse race while annexing the local bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate in splendid fashion. All that jockey Daren Wiliams had to do was hit the front before letting the talented colt to stride away from the rest in the straight. With this easy win, Laheeb Al Shahania has displayed his classic potential and it would be interesting to see his progress during the season.“Though we cannot take anything away from Asraa Min Albarq, I think Jaafer should have won the race. He came along nicely and then just stopped. I am quite happy with Jaafer’s performance and I think a change in head gear would do a world of good,” trainer Smart told the Gulf Times.Talking about Asraa Min Albarq, Smart said. “He is a galloper and did exactly that today. Salim rode a perfect race on him. He deserves this victory as he has beaten Jaafer in Newbury this year in a Group I race and we thought he was ready for the Arc this year but he ran a bad race there. I am really happy for Asraa Min Albarq for pulling off this victory.” Majid Safedeen schooled General Duke’s recorded his fourth straight win on the Qatar track, with an easy win in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses 65 to 85. In customary fashion, jockey Williams took General Duke’s to the front and remained there to win by nearly four lengths. Fouladh sporting the colours of Umm Qarn also put in a fine performance with a comfortable win in the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 35 to 60, which was open to Qatari jockeys and apprentices only. Qatari jockey Yoysef al-Hajri had Fouladh in a handy fourth position along the rails as Shael De Faust set the pace. The Alban de Mieulle trained Fouladh came through the middle alongside the front runner and skipped away in the final furlong to record an easy win. Al Jeali showed some zest as he finished on well to take the second spot ahead Samhan. Trainer Zohair Moghsen also led in a winner when Qadir came up with yet another brilliant performance while clinching the local Thoroughbred Stakes. Though not getting a clear passage when the race took a serious turn, Qadir had enough class in him to pounce on Manayer and stretched away to win by three lengths. Jockey Adrie de Vries did well to persevere along the rails and when he got an opening, the Dutchman pounced on the opportunity and drove the Moghsen trainee to his third straight victory of the season and the 27th career win in 38 outings.The Dutchman came out with yet another brilliant performance while steering Granary to an exciting victory in the Thoroughbred Stakes, run over 1,200 metres. With Ridge Wood Dani (David Bouland up) set a scorching and attempting to run away with the race, Adrie had Granary race in mid bunch. When the race took a serious turn, the power packed ride from Adrie saw the Jassim al-Ghazali saddled Granary gaining ground and stretching away to record a narrow victory over stable mate Collect Art who also finished with a flourish. The Mishal bin Ali al-Attiya owned Granary has been a virtual money spinner as he has won close to QR one million in stake money with 23 victories.Results: 1st race: Laheeb Al Shahania (Darren Williams) 1, Zahio 2, Shakeemah 3, Barre 4. Won by: 8, 3 ½, ¾. Time: 1:18.19. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani 2nd race: Fouladh (Yousef al-Yajri) 1, Al Jeali 2. Samhan 3, Saint De Faust 4. Won by: ½, 1 ¾, 1 ¼. Time: 1:41.20. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn 3rd race: Qadir (Adrie de Vries) 1, Manayer 2, Sharid Battal 4. Won by: 3, Hd, Hd. Time: 1:26.09. Trained by: Zohair Moghsen. Owned by: Hussain Ali Bukanan4th race: Granary (Adrie de Vries) 1, Collect Art 2, Miss Velocity 3, Scotchman 4. Won by: ¾, 1 ½, Nk. Time: 1:12.08. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Mishal bin Ali al-Attiya5th race: General Duke’s (Darren Williams) 1, Lost Cause 2, Tawaleef 3, Flying Lady 4. Won by: 3 ½, 2 ½, 1 ¾. Time: 2:02.37. Trained by: Majid Safedeen. Owned by: Mubarak Saeed al-Naimi 6th race: Asraa Min Albarq (Salim Golam) 1, Jaafer 2, Kalim Du Loup 3, Raqiyah 4. Won by: ½, 1 ½, 1. Time: 2:02.07. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: Al Shahania Stud