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Ahmed Kobeissi trained Beethovan made amends after faltering in his last few runs when he rallied well to measure Peter Anders in the 2,200 metres Al Ruwais Cup, a Thoroughbred Stakes race, which featured the day’s races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. Kobeissi was in the limelight saddling two winners along with jockey David Bouland who was successful on three mounts. |
Dubai Sunshine did the front running followed by Peter Anders with Beethovan relaxed in the rear. Dubai Sunshine ran on for a while in the front before weakening to let Peter Anders to take charge. Beethovan took some time before he warmed up to the task but once he did, he came home with a rush to win with ease. Peter Anders held of Dubawi King for the second slot.
Umm Qarn’s champion Fouladh smashed the opposition in the local bred Pure Arabian Stakes. Faria and Jarrah led the field as jockey David Bouland eased Fouladh into the tail end of the seven horse field. Omaier had a break of few lengths over the rest at the top of the straight but Fouladh covered ground briskly and then went away for an effortless win.
Earlier, the Alban de Mieulle schooled Khabbab easily accounted for the opposition in the 1,600 metres local bred Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 40 to 70.
Jockey Sanna Alberto had to use all the resources at his command to contain the challenge of Robbama while steering Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi’s Nazzaa Al Uraiq to a thrilling victory in the local bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. It was a fascinating duel between Nazzaa Al Uraiq and Robbama in the final stages of the race. After giving Robbama a breather, Gerald Avranche brought the Ghazali trainee into contention with a brilliant run along the rails, while Alberto was unrelenting on the eventual winner. With the duo fighting each of the ground, it was the bobbing of heads that went in favour of Nazzaa Al Uraiq.
The fleet-footed Zelzal (Andrew Elliot up) produced a sparkling run in the homestretch to assume command and dictate the terms of the race in the second division of the local bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate.
Mohammed al-Sulaiti’s Al Adaid clinched the Pure Arabian Restricted Stakes, in a thrilling finish. Jockey Yanis Aouabed took Amour N’ Al Maury to the front and was all set to
land the spoils. But the runaway tactics saw Al Shanfara shorten his strides inside the final 50 metres. Al Adaid who was handily placed, came into serious contention and waged a stiff battle with the front runner before surging ahead at the post. Zahi finished a close third after raising hopes of a victory.
Jassim al-Ghazali saddled Pirates Song had to be driven out to the maximum to contain the challenge of Elwazeer to win the seven furlong Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 75 to 95. Elwazeer (Avranche up) put up a dogged resistance but succumbed close home to the power packed ride by jockey Marvin Suerland who was astride the winner.
In the day’s opener, Hilal Kobeissi saddled Marikh broke through the maiden ranks with a fluent victory in the local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. After setting his own pace, Marikh (Salim Golam up) cruised away from the rest to win as he pleased. Al Zubara who chased the winner in the final furlong took the second place ahead of Napolean.
Jockey Golam completed a rare double when he piloted Ahmed Kobeissi schooled Marinus to a comfortable victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap, a race for horses rated 50 and below. This race also saw two jockeys being unseated but were fortunate to get away with minor injuries. Qatari jockey Faleh Bughnaim lost his balance on Endymion in the early stages of the race, while Phillipines jockey Rosario Ponce had a fall at the turn. Ponce was riding Rosiliant in the race.