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Zohair Moghsen trained Qadir regained his winning form with a hard fought victory in the Ad Dibal Cup, a local Thoroughbred Stakes race, which featured the 19th day’s races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. |
After having failed in his previous four starts this season, the seven-year old bay gelding was partnered to victory by jockey Boyle who did well to keep Al Mansoor at bay and win by half a length. The Hussain Ali Bukanan owned Qadir has won 30 races in 49 starts.
Trainer Julian Smart broke his winless streak when Shaklan recorded an easy victory in the Pure Arabian Handicap, a race for horses rated 40 to 70. HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani owned Shaklan (Golam up) kept aside the challenge of Shael De Faust to win by over a length. Having opened his account, trainer Smart would be looking ahead to the Derby weekend.
Jassim al-Ghazali trained Ghalaa had to wage a stiff battle before kicking clear in the hands of jockey Gerald Avranche in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for two and three-years-old. Darat Al Ayam essayed a strong challenge to Ghalaa but the Ghazali ward had enough reserves to pull away. Hello Dubai came from the rear to finish an impressive third.
The Thoroughbred Graduation Plate for two and three year olds, produced a cliffhanger of a race where Debbie Mountain schooled Marcus Augustus staved off the spirited challenge of Madhmoonah. Marcus Augustus (Stephen Ladjajdj astride) had assumed command on entering the home stretch and looked set to land the spoils. But the Mountain ward had to be ridden out to thwart the bid by Madhmoonah who was gaining ground with each stride. However, the power packed finish by Ladjadj ensured a much awaited victory for Marcus Augustus.
The trainer and jockey combination of Debbie and Ladjadj had another winner for the day when Poppy came good in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 60 and below.
George Mikhalides saddled Al Mizan floored the opposition in the local bred Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 40 and below which was open to Qatari jockeys and apprentices only. Jockey Adnan Hawa took the Mikhalides trainee from the word ‘go; and went away from the pack to win in impressive fashion. Al Mizan looks a good type and is capable of an encore when saddled next.
The local bred Pure Arabian Stakes turned out to be a two horse race as Umm Qarn’s Raedah and Al Shahania Stud’s Mekhbatt fought out the issue with the former emerging a comfortable winner.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al-Thani (right) presents a memento to QNA general manager Ahmed bin Saad al-Boenain
Results: 1st race: Ghalaa (Gerald Avranche) 1, Darat Al Ayam 2, Hello Dubai 3, Villa Reigns 4. Won by: 1 ¾, 2 ½, 1/2. Time: 1:14.39. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Khalid Yahya al-Khusaai
2nd race: Marcus Augustus (Stephen Ladjadj) 1, Madhmoonah 2, Kohala 3, Words Come Easy 4. Won by: Nk, ½, 3 ½. Time: 1:14.17. Trained by: Debbie Mountain. Owned by: Mohammed Hassan Ali Abdulmalik
3rd race: Al Mizan (Adnan Hawa) 1, Ninawa 2, Jihad 3, Zallal 4. Won by: 8, Nk, Nk. Time: 1:35.30. Trained by: George Mikhalides. Owned by: Sheikh Abdullah bin Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani
4th race: Poppy (Stephen Ladjadj) 1, Jaaeyza 2, Endymion 3, Applique 4. Won by: ¾, ½, ½. Trained by: Debbie Mountain. Owned by: Mohammed Hassan Ali Abdulmalik
5th race: Shaklan (Salim Golam) 1, Shael De Faust 2, Guide Al Khal 3, Pep Sakbe 4. Won by: 1 ¼, ½, 2 ½. Time: 1:35.33. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani
6th race: Power Punch (Marvin Suerland) 1, Roman Myst 2, Star Deal 3, Protect 4. Won by: 1 ½, 3/5, ½. Time: 1:40.12. Trained by: Ahmed al-Jehani. Owned by: Hamad Ahmed Hassan al-Malki al-Jehani
7th race: Raedah (Pier Convertino) 1, Mekhbatt 2, Al Falak 3, Barq Al Naif 4. Won by: 1 ¾, 8, 8. Time: 1:35.48. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn
8th race: Qadir (B. Doyle) 1, Al Mansoor 2, Brave Heart 3, Sharid 4. Won by: ½, ½, ¾. Time: 2:03.18. Trained by: Zohair Moghsen. Owned by: Hussain Ali Bukanan