Muntasar wins Qatar National Day Trophy

HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad al-Thani (centre) and QREC chairman HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al-Thani (extreme right) are seen with the winners of the Qatar National day Trophy at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.

By Chris Hoover/Doha

De Mieulle had a cup double when Fouladh (Amer-Jaljalah) bolted to his second successive victory this season to win the Late Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani Cup, in a truly fashionable manner. The Umm Qarn bred champion looked the winner even as they entered the straight for the final run.

Dahash raced to the front soon on start with Raihan quick to move into second. Fouladh was right up with them and travelling beautifully. The Amer progeny cruised past them and led coming into the straight. The race ended there as far as Fouladh was concerned.

In a smooth action gallop, Foualdh with Pier Convertino In the saddle, sped away effortlessly and won by an impressive margin of four lengths. Laheeb Al Shahania, who was hampered for room along the rails, produced an eye-catching finishing effort that got him the runner-up berth. He covered considerable ground making his way through the inner rails and got past Dahash at the post.

“Fouladh had an easy race. He is one of the best local bred horses here. Al Shahania Stud’s Assil is shaping to be the new champion and I believe that he will be the best horse this season. Muntasar is doing well but I am very disappointed with the condition of the track. It is in a very bad shape and I have not seen one like this in Qatar for so many years. We will see how Muntasar comes out after this race and decide where he will run next,” trainer de Mieulle told the Gulf Times.

Sinndar Perfection produced a superlative run to humble Taigan in the straight. Taigan had just taken over the running from Toufan. Taigan had hardly set sights on the winning post when Sinndar Perfection came crushing down on the front runner.

The Yousef Bentaher trainee streaked ahead in no time and was safe and away to notch up a convincing victory in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. Jockey Marvin Suerpand was astride the winner.

Badr al-Abid trained Zizanie Al Maury (Yasser Rajjab astride) won the Pure Arabian Handicap start to finish with Hab Reeh applying some pressure towards the end. Zizanie Al Maury had it covered alright and easily rebuffed the challenger. Mohammed bin Ali al-Attiya owned Zizanie Al Maury galloped on gamely and an all out effort from Hab Reeh only helped cut down the margin of victory.

Trainer Al Abid clinched a rare double when his ward Uqab went on a successful start to finish mission in the local Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 60 and below. Jockey Alberto Sanna and Uqab dominated the whole race and when Majd posted a challenge, they were unrelenting to the pressure to win by a length.

Ibrahim al-Malki schooled Blackdown Fair put on a great performance to record her second win. The Malki trainee was brilliantly ridden by jockey Gary Carter to victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 60 to 80. She was not in the best of positions early on, but made steady progress along the way. Cloudwalker was in the lead with Ridge Wood Dani stalking her as they turned for home. Reckless Romeo got stuck on the rails and could not wriggle out until Unknown Rebel had gone past and got into top gear. On entering the homestretch, Cloudwalker had stolen a march and had a good momentum going as well.

Once alerted to the task on hand, Blackdown Fair devoured ground in a trice and went past Cloudwalker to win by half a length. Seven Of Clubs came from way behind to pip Cloudwalker for second place.

Impound from Zohair Moghsen’s stables, who was tackling the 10 furlongs race for the first time this season, responded well to Adrie de Vries’ urgings in the final furlong to win the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 80 to 100. Impound was racing a close sixth, all the way from the start, while Rockinante, Honest Prospector and Al Wajba made the running in front. Entering the straight, Impound was asked for an effort and the three year old colt picked up momentum and shot to the front.

Fauvism threw a challenge but could only finish second. Rule Maker took the third spot, ahead of the late finishing Tortoni. Al Laheef plunged into an all out offensive in the final furlong and launched a fiery gallop to outrun his rivals and score a smashing victory in the local bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate.

Thulfakar made all the early pace with Incredible Hulk in chase, the others huddled in a bunch with Al Laheef in a close fifth. The Rashid al-Malki saddled Al Laheef with Salim Golam in the saddle, quickly moved up in the straight and after a brief tussle with the front runner, surged ahead and won with ease. Tajarub came with a late bid to take the runner-up berth ahead of Thulfakar.