 |
| CHAMPIONS ALL: QREC member Of Board of Directors Eng. Mohamed Ali Yousef al-Sheeb (third from right) and QREC racing secretary Tariq Abdulhameed al-Sidiqie (extreme right) are seen with the winners of the Al Huwaila Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. PICTURE: Juhaim |
Umm Qarn’s Damis came up with stellar performance to win the 1600 metres Al Huwaila Cup, a Pure Arabian Stakes race, which featured the 42nd day’s racing yesterday at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. The seven-year old progeny of Amer was driven out for a fine win by jockey David Bouland who rode the horse with greater understanding.
Theeb did the job of the pace setter followed by Amaour N’al Maury, Kaher and Gayth. Bouland had Damis well settled in mid bunch. Rounding the final turn, Theeb had the first run on his opponents even as Bouland set alight Damis.
The Umm Qarn bred Damis picked up speed to surge ahead with a furlong out and went away to record a comprehensive victory.
Alban de Mieulle saddled Raihan asserted his class in emphatic fashion in the local bred Pure Arabian Stakes. Contrary the expectation of a stiff battle for supremacy, Raihan stole a march with a furlong left in the race and won with ease from Nimr and stablemate Insaf.
Julian Smart schooled Mekhbatt maintained his amazing consistency by recording his third consecutive win from five outings. The Al Shahania Stud bred Mekhbatt held off the challenge of 10 other contestants en route to a fluent victory in the 1500 metres local bred Pure Arabian Stakes for horses rated 40 to 90.
Barq Al Naif and Haizum did all the front running before being overhauled in the homestretch by Mekhbatt who quickened for home with a resolute effort.
Al Majd closed with a rush but he did not accelerate enough to get the measure of Mekhbatt who was a given a neat ride by Richard Mullen. Al Uraiq came up with raking strides when the race was well sewn up by the front runner to take the third place ahead of Barq Al Naif. Mohammed Hussain trained Majeen who has not exactly been a model of consistency, bounced back to winning form while claiming the 1,850 metres Thoroughbred Handicap, a race for horses rated 0 to 60.
Jockey Bouland took Majeen on a start to finish mission. The progeny of Rock Of Gibraltar best performance has come when he runs freely in front without pressure from other contestants.
Aztlan threatened to end Majeen’s foray in front but after raising hopes with 350 metres left in the race, he weakened. Hatta Diamond who had come into contention from behind with a smooth run came into contention but Majeen skipped away to win with a measure of comfort.
Earlier in the day, trainer Jassim al-Ghazali and jockey Gerard Avranche had a double through Al Kasser and Protect.
Al Kasser had impressive credentials as he had finished behind Mansour in his previous outing. In his customary fashion Avranche brought Al Kasser into contention in the final furlong.
Though stable mate Majd Al Arab had tried runaway tactics, Avranche was unperturbed as he waited with Al Kasser in the rear. But once alerted to the task on hand, the Ghazali trainee came with a ground devouring run to win the local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate.
Competing in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, Protect had to be driven out to contain the challenge of Marcus Augustus who has gone winless in his last five efforts. The Debbie Mountain saddled Marcus Augustus is due for an early success based on this effort. Colours Of Fall ran on to finish third ahead of Mallak who was on a start-to-finish mission.
Trainer Ghazali had another winner for the day when Hunting Tartan came from off the pace to pip stable mate Al Muthanaa at the post in the Thoroughbred Stakes. Jockey Stephane Ladjadj rode a perfect race on the winner.