HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (second from left) is seen with the winners of the End Of Season Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.

 

 

By Chris Hoover/Doha

 

Jockey Marvin Suerland was in his element as he booted home four winners which included the success on Amico Mio in the End Of Season Cup, a Thoroughbred Stakes race, which highlighted the concluding day’s races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. The races were held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.

Rockinante was pushed to take over the running from the start with Amico Mio in close attendance. Rounding the final turn, Rockinante continued to dictate the terms of the race. Once Yousef Bentaher trained Amico Mio was alerted to the task on hand, it ceased to be a contest. Amico Mio sprouted a pair of wings and sped away from the field to win quite comfortably.

“It has been a great day for me and I expected to do well as I had good mounts to ride today. This season has been pretty good for me. I will be back in Doha in October and look forward to do well in the forthcoming season as well,” jockey Suerland told the Gulf Times.

Suerland had earlier ridden Mohamed Hamad al-Attiya trained Bin Amer to a thrilling  win in the Pure Arabian Stakes.

 

QREC vice-chairman Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al-Malki (second from right) presents a memento to HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, under whose patronage the concluding day’s races were held at the QREC yesterday.

 

 

Al Shahania Stud’s Kassam (Burning Sand-Mahmoona) made a winning start to his career with a smashing victory in the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. Kinetic led the field from the start of the seven furlong trip with Zafeen Al Thoraya  for company as Darren Williams eased the debutant Kassam in about the fourth position along the rails. Rounding the final bend, Zafeen Al Thoraya  took charge and went clear to establish a sizeable lead. At this point, Williams unleashed Kassam, who came with a ground devouring run and went past the front runner to win in impressive fashion. Stable mate Heytham came from behind to finish second ahead of Robbama. There is no doubt that Kassam has the potential to progress to the highest class.

Mohammed Hussain schooled Al Mazrooah, which had gone down narrowly to Sraab in her last outing, made amends for that failure with a commanding victory in the local Thoroughbred Stakes. Jockey David Bouland had Al Mazrooah race a handy second behind Izala. On entering the homestretch, Al Mazrooah skipped away from her opponents and won with plenty in hand.

Osam Omar al-Dhafa’s Shujaa took his fourth win in 15 starts when the progeny of Chelsea Manor came good under the able riding of Evert Pheiffer in the local bred Pure Arabian Restricted Stakes. Al Majd led the field into the straight but had no answer when Shujaa swooped on him to win by half a length.

Mohamed Khalid saddled Al Yarmouk (Marvin Suerland up) held on gamely from a fast finishing Thawi to win the local bred Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 40 to 70. Al Yarmouk raced prominently into the straight and took charge inside the final 200 metres and kicked clear and lasted out to win from Thawi who threw a scare with a powerful finish.

In the day’s other action, Debbie Mountain nurtured Christmas Aria was an impressive winner of the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 50 to 70.

Results:

1st race: Kassam (Darren Williams) 1, Heytham 2, Robbama 3, Zafeen Al Thoroya 4. Won by: 1 ¾, 3 ½, 1. Time: 1:18.49. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Al Shahania Stud

2nd race: Al Yarmouk (Marvin Suerland) 1, Thawi 2, Khalfa 3, Arkan Al Shahania 4. Won by: Shd, 1 ¼, 5. Time: 2:12.01. Trained by: Mohammed Khalid. Owned by: Khalid Nasser al-Naimi

3rd race: Christmas Aria (Marvin Suerland) 1, Statesmanship 2, Perigeux 3, Won by: ½, ½, ¾. Time: 1:34.48. Trained by: Debbie Mountain. Owned by: Abdullah Hassan Ali Abdulmalik

4th race: Shujaa (Evert Pheiffer) 1, Zahi 2, Tameh 3, Al Majd 4. Won by: ½, ¾, ½. Time: 1:30.69. Owned and trained by: Osama Omar al-Dhafa

5th race: Al Mazrooah (David Bouland) 1, Al Naif Trade Mark 2, Al Rayyan Al Sakab 3, Sharid 4. Won by: 1 ¼, ¾, 1 ¼. Time: 1:37.23. Trained by: Mohammed Hussain. Owned by: Dr Mohammed Rashid al-Ardhi al-Marri

6th race: Bin Amer (Marvin Suerland) 1, Jelmud 2, Al Uraiq 3, Al Adaid 4. Won by: 1 ½, ¾, 1. Time: 1:29.66. Trained by: Mohammed Hamad al-Attiya.  Owned by: Hamad bin Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Attiya

7th race: Amico Mio (Marvin Suerland) 1, Beethoven 2, Peter Anders 3, General Duk’s 4. Won by: 3 ½, Hd, Nk. Time: 1:32.33. Trained by: Yousef Bentaher. Owned by: Sheikh Nasser bin Abdullah bin Nasser al-Thani