By Chris Hoover/DohaThe prestigious HH The Heir Apparent Trophy and Sword races will be the focus of attention of all racing enthusiasts. The two-day racing carnival offers QR 2.43 million in prize money to the winners. The best horses in the country will be assembled at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club to have a tilt at one of the most sought after races of Qatar’s racing calendar. Eight races will be held today, while a four-event card will feature the main races tomorrow.Going by known form, Alban de Mieulle trained and Umm Qarn bred Raihan and George Mikhalides schooled Al Mujahaz enjoy a clear cut edge over the other 10 contenders in the HH The Heir Apparent Sword, a Group I race for local bred Pure Arabians which has a stake of QR 800,000 on offer. Jockey Oliver Peslier will discharge his duties on Raihan, while in form jockey Darren Williams will be on the saddle on HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy winner Al Mujahaz.Al Mujahaz has already had the better of Raihan in his previous start in January but that was over a mile. Al Mujahaz put in a dazzling display while winning with a great deal of comfort where Raihan did not have a clear passage and also the mile race was a little bit sharp for his liking. The Mikhalides trainee will now be pitched against Raihan over 2,200 metres, which suits the Umm Qarn bred champion. Raihan should have profited from his experience in that race and is capable of turning the tables on his vanquisher in this all important race. This could well turn out to be race of the champions. A duel between Raihan and Al Mujahaz is likely to produce a nail biting finish.
Umm Qarn trainer Mieulle was confident that Raihan would run a better race this time. “Raihan is in good condition and I expect him to run a good race. The 2,200 metres trip suits him best and we have a very good chance to win this prestigious race,” Mieulle told the Gulf Times.Mieulle was however bothered about the big field assembled for the HH Heir Apparent Trophy for Thoroughbreds, where his ward Lancelot is one of the top contenders. “Lancelot always prefers to come from behind and this will be difficult in a field which has 16 runners. Though he is in top form, we have to keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.”Speaking about Raqiyah’s chances in the HH Heir Apparent Trophy for Pure Arabians, Miuelle said. “I was very disappointed with Raqiyah’s performance in her last run. She was in season and was not too keen in the race. She is working well and we expect her to come back to her winning form.”HH the Heir Apparent Trophy for Pure Arabians has attracted nine contestants. Al Shahania Stud have five runners in the fray and look set to bag this coveted trophy. Last start winner Asraa Min Albarq, Aziz, Jaafer, Mu’Azzaz and Theeb all have the potential to raise a winning gallop. Among the others in the fray, Mieulle nurtured Damis, Kalim Du Loup and Raqiyah pose a threat to the Julian Smart brigade. All said and done it would be difficult to predict the winner, but Asraa Min Albarq and Aziz are the horses to beat.Trainer Smart was quietly confident of his wards chances in the race. “We have the best of our chances in this race as we have got a few accomplished runners in the fray. I would be disappointed if we did not have a good result in this race. Though there are three horses from Umm Qarn in the race, I expect to have a big say in the finish.”HH the Heir Apparent Trophy for Thoroughbreds is bound to witness an exciting finish. Jassim al Ghazali’s Dubawi King and Hunting Tartan, Amico Mio from Bentaher’s stables, Mieulle trained Lancelot and Ahmed Kobiessi’s Beethoven are going to add extra spice to the proceedings in this 2,200 metres race, which has a purse of QR 600,000.Though opted out in the declarations, Ghazali has another top contender Polperro in the reserves. He is likely to come into the race if they are any late withdrawals. This is very much a possibility as Polperro made a very impressive debut in Qatar and was expected to be an exciting prospect for this event.Polperro leapt into the elite league with a splendid performance that flat-footed his rivals in the Wathnan Cup last week and was hailed as a serious contender for the Heir Apparent Trophy. Sporting the Injaz Stud colours and making his debut in Qatar, Polperro was taking on horses of impressive credentials and not many reckoned him to win in the manner expected but the son of Kingmambo won the 1,800 metres race in emphatic fashion. Polperro’s participation would definitely add more glamour to the race.Trainer Ghazali was also looking ahead to Polperro taking part in the race. “Polperro won his first race here very well and is in top form. I hope he can still make the line-up. Apart from Polperro, I have Hunting Tartan and Dubawi King who are capable of winning this race,” Ghazali said.Apart from the racing action, the visitors to the race course can win some fabulous prizes. A raffle draw will be held immediately after the last race tomorrow and a lucky spectator is likely to drive away with a car that will be given away to the winner.