By Chris Hoover/Doha
Jockey Darren Williams who has been riding with amazing success is on the verge of creating a new mark for the number of wins during 2011-12 Qatar racing season. He ended the 47th day’s action yesterday, booting home four winners, taking his tally to a whopping 52.
Chairman of Qatar Statistics Authority HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor bin Jassim al- Thani (third from left) and QREC chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al-Thani (third from right) are seen with the winners of the Umm Al Zabar Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim
Williams has been riding with rare confidence and his power packed driving ensured that he was rewarded for his hard work. He booted home, among others, Al Adaid in the feature event, the Umm Al Zabar Cup. His three other successes came through Brave Heart, Dahash and Choose Wisely.
Apart from Williams, trainer Mohammed al-Sulaiti was also in the limelight. The talented trainer recorded a treble, including the feature event. All his three winners were ridden by the in-form jockey Williams.
Sulaiti saddled Brave Heart had to be ridden out by jockey Williams to contain the challenge of Araam (David Bouland up) to win the local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. It was the power packed ride by Williams that enabled Brave Heart to overhaul Araam in virtually the last stride of the 1,700 metres race to win in a smart timing of one minute 53.54 seconds.
The trainer and jockey combination of Sulaiti and Williams completed a double with a runaway victory with Dahash in the local bred Pure Arabian Stakes.
Williams had another winner for the day when he piloted George Mikhalides schooled Choose Wisely to a thrilling victory in the Thoroughbred Stakes.
QREC chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al-Thani (right) presents a memento to Chairman of Qatar Statistics Authority HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor bin Jassim al- Thani at the QREC yesterday
The Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 60 to 80, witnessed a thrilling contest where Jabor al-Ramzani trained Trompettiste came up with a brilliant stretch run to overhaul Power Punch and win by three lengths. Jockey Xavier was simply superb on the saddle as he timed his challenge to a nicety. Though Power Punch had established a sizeable lead, the perseverance of Xavier brought Trompettiste into serious contention. Once put into top gear, the Ramzani trainee stretched to win in fine style. The manner of this victory suggests that he is capable of an encore.
The local bred Pure Arabian Handicap was witness to an exciting finish. Jockey Lawson took Ra’deed Al Naif on a successful pillar to post victory. Though Mouhoob (Yanis Auoabed astride) posed a serious threat in the final stages of the race, Lawson was upto the task as he staved off the challenge in a keenly contested race.
In the day’s other action, Chewdeh (Syed Saddath astride), from trainer Ahmed al-Jehani’s yard, showed remarkable turn of foot while overhauling Maginot Line in the dying stages of the race to record a thrilling victory in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, which was open to Qatari jockeys and apprentices only.
Kamlesh Ram took Maginot Line on a start to finish mission but was floored by the finishing burst of Chewdeh. Saddath rode a perfect race on the winner.
Results: 1st race: Brave Heart (Darren Williams) 1, Araam 2, Azhaar 3, Miqdam 4. Won by: Shd, 1, Nk. Time: 1:53.54. Trained by: Mohammed al-Sulaiti. Owned by: Essa Mohammed al-Sulaiti
Jockey Darren Williams rides Al Adaid to victory in the Umm Al Zabar Cup yesterday
2nd race: Chewdeh (Syed Saddath) 1, Maginot Line 2, Generreuse 3, Dubai Tiger 4. Won by: ½, 4, ¾. Time: 1:11.51. Trained by: Ahmed al-Jehani. Owned by: Hassan Ahmed Hassan al-Malki al-Jehani
3rd race: Ra’deed Al Naif (M. Lawson) 1, Mouhoob 2, Rau’ed 3, Arkan Al Shahania 4. Won by: 1, ¾, ½. Time: 2:05.51. Trained by: Ahmed al-Malki. Owned by: Sheikh Ali bin Hamad bin Ali al-Thani
4th race: Trompetiste (Xavier) 1, Power Punch 2, Val C 3, Walfa 4. Won by: 3, Nk, 2. Time: 1:09.39. Trained by: Jabor al-Ramzani. Owned by: Halul Stud
5th race: Dahash (Darren Williams) 1, Haizum 2, Barq Al Naif 3, Mutheer 4. Won by: 3, 1, 3 ½. Time: 1:16.32. Trained by: Mohammed al-Sulaiti. Owned by: Essa Mohammed al-Sulaiti
6th race: Choose Wisely (Darren Williams) 1, Captain Coke 2, Audemar 3, Winsome Hearts 4. Won by: Nk, 4, ½. Time: 1:43.76. Trained by: George Mikhalides. Owned by: Sheikh Hamad bin Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani
7th race: Al Adaid (Darren Williams) 1, Kassab Al Sahraa 2, Samhan 3, Gayth 4. Won by: 3 ½, 1 ½, 1 ½. Time: 1:16.43. Trained by: Mohammed al-Sulaiti. Owned by: Essa Mohammed al-Sulaiti.