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Jassim al-Ghazali trained Polperro (Kingmambo-Sand Spring) made a smashing debut in Qatar when coming up with a splendid victory in the Wathnan Cup, which featured the races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.
Marvin Suerland had Racer Forever in front from the word ‘go’ with Polperro in close attendance. Racer Forever failed to prolong his stay in front as Polperro loomed large and came up with a big run to surge ahead under the able riding of Dutchman Adrie de Vries. Polperro who was imported from England stretched away and left the others to fight for minor places. The manner in which he won should augur well for his chances in HH the Heir Apparent Trophy on February 9.
“This is Polperro’s first run in Qatar and he was very impressive in this victory. Though he was not totally fit, Polperro was simply brilliant today and we expect him to do well in the Heir Apparent Trophy next week,” trainer Ghazali told the Gulf Times.
Jockey Adrie too was amazed with the performance of the talented colt. “He is really a very nice horse who handled the track very well. Ghazali thought that Polperro might need this run, but he surprised us all with this performance. He has the potential to improve further.”
Hassan al-Matwi trained Jalmoud Al Jazeera recorded a smashing win in the 1,700 metres local bred Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 0 to 40, which was open to Qatari jockeys and apprentices only. Jalmoud Al Jazeera led all the way and then stretched away from the opposition to win by a widening margin of six lengths over Rau’ed and Arkan Al Shahania. Qatari jockey Naif al-Hajri was impressive on the saddle on the winner.
Al-Matwi had earlier saddled Selhab Al Naif (Yousef al-Hajri astride) to a thrilling win in the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. Though there were 14 contenders in the fray, it turned out to be a two-horse race as Selhab Al Naif and El Zouarda fought out a resolute battle for the entire 1,700 metres trip, before the former got the better of the latter in the final 50 metres of the race.
Qatari rider Yousef was in his elements today as he recorded a rare double for the day. He was astride the most impressive winner of the day, Walfa who won the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 0 to 50 in splendid fashion. The Mohammed Khalid saddled Walfa tackled the front running Cidra at the top of the straight and then went sailing clear to win by a distance. Yousef had nothing much to do on the four year old filly who should make swift progress on the handicap scale.
Ibrahim al-Malki’s Al Jeali had no problem in disposing of the challenge of Guide Al Khal in the Pure Arabian Handicap, a race for horses rated 35 to 60. The runner up ran an encouraging race and can be expected to make his mark pretty soon.
Ghazali had another winner for the day when Hadeel came up with a spirited run from behind to edge past Akhhal in the dying moments of the race to record a long awaited win in the local bred Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 35 to 60. Pier Convertino took Akhhal on a start-to-finish mission but could not sustain as Frenchman Gerard Avranche’s persistence on the saddled enabled Hadeel to get past Akhhal in the shadow of the winning post.
Alshanfara shed his maiden status while recording a facile win in the 1200 metres Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 70 to 90. Lahoob found the winner too good and ended up a tame second while Baraari was a faraway third.
Results: 1st race: Selhab Al Naif (Yousef al-Hajri) 1, El Zouarda 2, Qabas 3, Shaklan 4. Owned and trained by: Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi
2nd race: Jalmoud Al Jazeera (Naif al-Hajri) 1, Rau’ed 2, Arkan Al Shahania 3, Hader 4. Won by: 6, 3, Hd. Time: 1:58.85. Owned and trained by: Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi
3rd race: Walfa (Yousef al-Hajri) 1, Cidra2, Inside 3, Colours Of Fall 4. Won by: Distance, ¾, 3. Time: 1:46.23. Trained by: Mohammed Khalid. Owned by: Saoud Abulatif Saad al-Muslimani
4th race: Al Jeali (Andrea Atzeni) 1, Guide Al Khal 2, Saint De Faust 3, Al Muzdahir 4. Won by: 1 ¼, ¾, 3. Time: 1:56.91. Trained by: Ibrahim al-Malki. Owned by: Saeed Ibrahim Saeed al-Malki
5th race: Hadeel (Gerard Avranche) 1, Akhhal 2, Jouras Al Naif 3, Endefa 4. Won by: Nk, 1 ¾, Hd. Time: 1:10.14. Trained by: Jssim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Hamad Zaeed Rashid al-Marri
6th race: Alshanfara (Andreas Helfenbein) 1, Lahoob 2, Baraari 3, Freckenham 4. Won by: 3, 2 ½, Shd. Time: 1:09.02. Trained by: Mohamed Rashid al-Kuwari. Owned by: Al Ghariyah Stud
7th race: Polperro (Adrie de Vries) 1, Racer Forever 2, Exodus 3, Long Live The King 4. Won by: 4, 5, Shd. Time: 1:50.02. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Injaz Stud