By Chris Hoover/Doha

Jassim al-Ghazali trained Sraab was ridden by jockey Gerald Avranche to a thrilling victory in the Balhambar Cup, a local Thoroughbred Stakes race, which featured the races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. This was the fourth straight victory for Sraab, who has continued to beat Al Mazrooah in her last three starts.

Abdulhadi Mana al-Hajri’s Tortoni continued to dazzle as he notched his third win in four outings. The Ibrahim al-Malki saddled Tortoni came from way off the pace to record a stylish win in the Thoroughbred Handicap, a race for horses rated 70 to 90. Misdemeanour set the pace with Sea Odyssey in close attendance while Tortoni was held back in mid bunch. Rounding the final bend, Sea Odyssey was pushed by jockey Ali al-Showeikh to go past Misdemeanour but his supremacy was short lived as Tortoni came up with his customary flourish to collar the front runner with ease. Jockey Gary Carter gave a brilliant ride on the winner to notch up his second win for the day.

Jockey Carter had to use all the resources at his command to contain the challenge of Watanee while steering Ibrahim schooled Blackdown Pair to a thrilling victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 50 to 70. It was a fascinating duel between Blackdown Pair and Watanee in the final stages of the race. After giving Watanee a breather, Gerald Avranche brought the Ghazali trainee into contention with a brilliant run, while Carter was unrelenting on the eventual winner. With the duo fighting each of the ground, it was Blackdown Pair that got stronger at the finish to win by nearly a length.

Osama Omar al-Dhafa’s Shujaa (Adnan Hawa up) which had finished ninth to Khalfa in his last outing recorded a smashing victory in the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 40 and below. After being held up in third position till the final 350 metres, Shujaa quickened well to take charge of the proceedings and easily thwarted the late bid of Zelzal.

Injaaz Stud’s Zahi (David Bouland astride) produced a stunning burst of speed when the cause appeared to have been lost in the 1,200 metres local bred Pure Arabian Restricted Stakes. Al Nakhsh broke clear of the rest in the final 100 metres and appeared to have built an unassailable lead as Zahi was taking his own time to get into his rhythm. Once alerted to the task on hand, Zahi responded well and produced such acceleration that he pounced on the front runner in a trice and deadheated for the top place.

In the day’s other action, Sheikh Hamad bin Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani’s Oasis Cannes overhauled stable mate Momarlorka and New Pearl in a thrilling finish in the Thoroughbred Plate, a eight furlong race for three-year-olds. Jockey Gerald Avranche brought Oasis Cannes from way of the pace and got past the front runners in virtually the last stride of the race to win in a smart timing of one minute 37.93 seconds.

Mohammed Hamad al-Attiya trained Loi picked up speed in the final furlong to overhaul Peter Anders to win the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 85 and above. Peter Anders was prominent at the front end with Loi in about the fifth position. Peter Anders continued to call the shots inside the final furlong with Loi swiftly gaining ground and coming into contention. Jockey Suerland had Loi improve position from the rear group rapidly and exploited the turn of foot that the horse commanded to go edge out Peter Anders who put upa spirited challenge but succumbed close home.