By Chris Hoover/Doha
Jockey Darren Williams was in the limelight with four winners during the 50th days races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. The talented rider has taken his tally to a whopping 59 and looks set to create a new record before the season concludes on May 17.Williams bag of wins included Dahash in the local bred Pure Arabian Challenge Cup which featured the races.Wiliams’ forceful riding made the difference to the outcome of 1,400 metres contest. In a crunch situation, Williams made the difference as Dahash overhauled Fouladh in the shadow of the wining post to land the spoils in the QR 80,000 event. Despite dropping back after the start, Williams quickly improved his position on Dahash to be in striking position of the fancied Fouladh. Though Fouladh had gained the initiative and was shaping like a winner, Williams and Dahash pounced on the front runner and won by a neck “She is a brilliant horse and I am very happy with her performance today. Though Dahash fell back after the start , he did well to battle it out. He is a class horse and I feel he will be at his best in the next season,” jockey Wiliams told the Gulf Times.
Talking about his dream run this season Williams said. “Each day has been getting better and I am very happy with my performance this season. With today’s wins I think I have sealed the jockeys championship on prize money and winners. This has been possible because of the support of trainers like George Mikhalides, Julian Smart, my own stable and other owners who have offered me rides.” Earlier, Williams was at his aggressive best when steering Zohair Moghsen saddled Apazine to an exciting win over Vesuvio in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 50 to 70. With an aggressive finish by its rider, Apazine poked his way through in the middle to overhaul Vesuvio who was shaping like a winner. Vesuvio put in a gallant display before succumbing to the onslaught of the winner. George Mikhalides trained Rule Maker and Seema fought out a thriller in the Thoroughbred Handicap, with the latter, losing out by a whisker. With both Williams and Ali al-Safar going flat out on their respective mounts, it provided an absorbing duel. Rule Maker had finished seventh in a field of 15 in his previous start but was fancied by his connections to have a big say in the finish. Rule Maker did oblige but only due to some good riding by Williams who pushed his mount on the inside, to stave off the challenge of Seema and Marked Card in a close finish. Williams continued his good form on the saddle as he rode Mohammed al-Sulaiti’s Al Adaid to a start-to-finish victory in the Pure Arabian Stakes.
Ibrahim al-Malki saddled Captain Coke was brilliantly ridden by Arnaud Bouleau to record a thrilling victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 85 and above. Bouleau took Captain Coke to the front and made every post a winning one before evading the onslaught of Dubawi King who finished on very strongly but failed to collar the front runner.Yousef Bentaher schooled Khatham Al Naif shed his maiden status when he easily accounted for the opposition in the 1,600 metres local bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. The four-year old bay colt which had finished a close second to Asad Al Shajaa in his last run, has been on the upgrade and should go on to record an encore. After being ridden in check until the final furlong, Khatham Al Naif came with a ground devouring run in the final 50 metres and skipped away to win from Thawi and Zallal. Jockey David Badel rode a well judged race on the winner.David Bouland rode a splendid race on Khabbab to guide the Alban de Mieulle trainee to a fine victory in the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 0 to 40. The power packed riding by Bouland enabled Khabbab to stave off the strong challenge essayed by Al Hadla and Jihad in the mile long event.Farraaha (Gerard Avranche up) was bang on target in the Pure Arabian Handicap , winning with a great deal of comfort from Zizanie Al Maury. The Alban trainee who was gracing the rear of the field, quickened well on turning for home and went away to record an emphatic victory.
Results: 1st race: Khatham Al Naif (David Badel) 1, Thawi 2, Zallal 3, Robbama 4. Won by: 1 ¼, 1 ¼, Hd. Time: 1:46.60. Trained by: Yousef Bentaher. Owned by: Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Ahmed al-Thani2nd race: Khabbab (David Bouland) 1, Al Hadla 2, Jihad 3, Al Rayyan 4. Won by: ½, 1 ¾, 1 ½. Time: 1:46.51. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn3rd race: Apazine (Darren Williams) 1, Vesuvio 2, Moon Boy 3, Salt Man 4. Won by: Shd, ¾, Shd. Time: 1:51.95. Trained by: Zohair Moghsen. Owned by: Jassim Abdulaziz al-Boenain4th race: Farraaha (Gerard Avranche) 1, Zizanie Al Maury 2, Al Jeali 3, Gayth 4. Won by: 2, 2 ½, Hd. Time: 2:00.98. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn5th race: Rule Maker (Darren Williams) 1, Seema 2, Marked Card 3, Zakon 4. Won by: ½, Shd, Shd. Time: 1:36.38. Trained by: George Mikhalides. Owned by: Sheikha Mariam bint Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani6th race: Captain Coke (Arnaud Bouleau) 1, Dubawi King 2, Beethoven 3, Flying Destination 4. Won by: Nk, 1 ¾, 1. Time: 1:59.16. Trained by: Ibrahim al-Malki. Owned by: Hassan Ali Abdulmalik7th race: Al Adaid (Darren Williams) 1, Amour Al Maury 2, Bin Amer 3, Kasih 4. Won by: ¾, 1 ¼, Hd. Time: 1:31.79. Trained by: Mohammed al-Sulaiti. Owned by: Essa Mohammed al-Sulaiti8th race: Dahash (Darren Williams) 1, Fouladh 2, Insaf 3, Samhan 4. Won by: Nk, 1 ½, 2 ½. Time: 1:29.33. Trained by: Mohammed al-Sulaiti.