By Chris Hoover/DohaMohammed al-Sulaiti trained Al Adaid asserted himself in the 1,200 metres Lemail Cup, a Pure Arabian Stakes race, which featured yesterday’s races on the sand track of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. Al Adadi did so in fine style under the brilliant riding of Marco Monteriso.Though there were a couple of formidable contenders in the fray, Al Adaid gave no anxious moments to his supporters as he checked in well clear of his opponents.Jockey Monteriso who took his third Cup victory was delighted with the performance of Al Adaid. “He ran a very good race and I am delighted with the way the season has begun for me. I am happy to be here in Qatar and hope to do well in the future as well,” jockey Monteriso told the Gulf Times. After a number of placed efforts, Mohammed Khalid trained Barre got another opportunity to emerge from the maiden ranks. Darting smartly out of the stalls, he cantered away from Sodouh Al Naif and Gamr Al Shahania to win the local bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate in telling fashion. Jockey Mark Lawson rode a well judged race on the winner who clocked two minutes 03.51 seconds and won by a widening margin of eight lengths. Trainer Khalid had another win for the day when Polish Phantom proved too good in the Thoroughbred Handicap, a race for horses rated 50 to 70. Under the able riding of Darren Williams, Polish Phantom left the field stranded at the top of the straight to win as he pleased from Christmas Aria who was in futile chase of the winner.
Jockey Lawson was once again at his aggressive best as he steered Ibrahim al-Malki saddled Tameh to a pillar to post victory in the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 40 to 70. Tameh had served notice of his readiness to strike while finishing a close second to Shakeemah in his previous outing. The Ibrahim trainee made it a one horse race as Lawson and Tameh dominated the 1,700 metres contest with a commanding victory. The manner of this victory suggests that Tameh is capable an encore when saddled next.Jockey Lawson continued his good form on the saddle when he drove out Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi’s Jelmud Al Jazeera to a thrilling win over Mogida and Jarrah in the local bred Pure Arabian Restricted Stakes, a race for horses rated 35 to 90. Jelmud Al Jazeera who made a swift move at the start and took over the running caught the other fancied runners napping and established a winning lead. By the time Mogida warmed up and came up with a big run, the winning post had been sighted. Jassim al-Ghazali saddled Johny Hancocks (Yanis Auoabed up) came up with a spirited run from behind to edge past Cometh in the dying moments of the race to record a thrilling victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 60 to 80. Results: 1st race: Barre (Mark Lawson) 1, Sodouh Al Naif 2, Gamr Al Shahania 3, Nazzam Al Uraiq 4. Won by: 8, 4, 1 ½. Time: 2:03.51. Trained by: Mohammed Khalid. Owned by: Salem Fadgam Al Hajri and Sons2nd race: Tameh (Mark Lawson) 1, Sharood 2, Maxenesse 3, Maseratti 4. Won by: 10. 5, 3 ½. Time: 1:59.75. Trained by: Ibrahim al-Malki. Owned by: Ibrahim Saeed al-Malki3rd race: Polish Phantom (Darren Williams) 1, Christmas Aria 2, Adabi 3, Big Gees 4. Won by: Distance, 3, Shd. Time: 1:50.23. Trained by: Owned by: 4th race: Johny Hancocks (Yanis Auoabed) 1, Cometh 2, Peter Anders 3, Freckenham 4. Won by: ¾, 2, 3. Time: 1:11.73. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Mansoor Ibrahim al-Mahmood5th race: Jalmoud Al Jazeera (Mark Lawson) 1, Mogida 2, Jarrah 3, Raedah 4. Won by: 2, 1 ½, 5. Time: 2:00.61. Owned and trained by: Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi 6th race: Al Adaid (Marco Monteriso) 1, Jelmud 2, Divamer 3, Akhal 4. Won by: 4, Hd, 3. Time: 1:19.10. Trained by: Mohammed al-Sulaiti. Owned by: Essa Mohammed al-Sulaiti.