QREC chairman HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al-Thani and QREC general manager Sami Jassim al-Boenain are seen with the winners of the Umm Al Houl Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. PICTURE: Juhaim
Hamad bin Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Attiya owned Twentyfourseven (Sleeping Indian-Anytime Baby) produced a sparkling run in the final 50 metres to get the better of Ridge Wood Dani to win the Umm Al Houl Cup, a Thoroughbred Handicap, which featured the races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.
Ridge Wood Dani who had taken over the running at the top of the straight from a handy second position, had opened a useful lead by the time Twentyfourseven found his wings but the latter was able to manage to get past the front runner thanks to a power packed finish by jockey Stephane Ladjadj.
“It was not an easy victory as Stephane had to get past a lot of runners before essaying his challenge. He did really well to win here. I am very happy to have won this race with a youngster like Twentyfourseven, who is capable of a better performance in his next run,” trainer Ghazali told the Gulf Times.
Though it took a while for Mutawassal to shed his maiden status, the Badr al-Abid trained five-year-old bay horse put in a dazzling display while annexing the local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate in splendid fashion. Making his seventh appearance on the race track, Mutawassal was raced in a handy second position by jockey Yasser Rajab. On entering the homestretch, Mutawassal cruised into the lead and stretched away from his only pursuer Al Zubara to win as he pleased. The Mohammed bin Ali al-Attiya owned Mutawassal seems to be in good form and is capable of an encore when saddled next.
Jockey Mark Lawson had to use all the resources at his command to contain the challenge of Sahab Al Naif while steering Abbas schooled Majd Brooq to a thrilling victory in the local bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. It was a fascinating duel between Majd Brooq and Sahab Al Naif the final stages of the race. After giving Sahab Al Naif a breather, Marvin Suerland brought the Abdullah al-Jaber trainee into contention with a brilliant run, while Lawson was unrelenting on the eventual winner. With the duo fighting each inch of the ground, it was Majd Brooq that got stronger at the finish to win by a head.
Nazzaa Al Uraiq from trainer Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi won the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 50 and below. On a start to finish mission, Nazzaa Al Uraiq put in a strong effort in the home run to go clear inside the final 200 metres and win with a measure of comfort from Jeslik, who finished with a flourish but could only diminish the margin of defeat. Frenchman Gerald Avranche rode a confident race on the winner.
Badr al-Abid schooled Al Wasmiya won the local bred Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 40 to 70 with a measure of comfort. Selhab Al Naif showed plenty of early speed to lead the field followed closely by Haizum. Jockey Avranche got Al Wasmiya to get to a striking position behind the front runners as they rounded the turn and galloped strongly to surge forward midway up the straight. Once alerted to the task on hand, Al Wasmiya sporting the colours of Al Wasmiya Stud, sped away to win by two and a half lengths. This was the second win in seven starts for the Abid trainee.
Zohair Moghsen saddled Pearl Bridge was a runaway winner of the Thoroughbred Graduation Platelocal. Jockey Yanis Aouabed took Andalieb to the front and set a strong pace till the bend. He was joined by Pearl Bridge in the middle and Mallak on the outside, as they turned for home. With Pearl Bridge and getting stronger than him, Andalieb was seemingly tired at that stage. He shortened his strides towards the inner rails and settled for the third spot. Pearl Bridge with Seb Sanders on the saddle, had little problem in keeping Exodus at bay to win by a widening margin of three and a half length.
Qatari jockey Yousef al-Hajri came with a brilliant effort while steering Mohammed Hamad al-Attiya trained Sworn to a breathtaking victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 60 and below. Dahab Gold led the field into the straight and looked set to land the spoils but had no answer when Sworn swooped on her to win by the shortest of margins. Exact was a close third.
Mefraas, which had finished fourth to Alkazim in his last outing, made amends for that failure with a commanding victory in the Thoroughbred Hanidcap for horses rated 75 to 95. Jockey Sanders had Mefraas race a handy second behind Star Deal. As the race took a serious turn, Mefraas skipped away from his opponents and won with plenty in hand to give its trainer Moghsen and jockey Sanders a double for the day.
Results:
1st race: Mutawassal ( Yasser Rajab) 1, Al Zubara 2, Napo;ean 3, Jeem 4. Won by: 1 ¾, 7, 9. Time: 2:00.63. Trained by: Badr al-Abid. Owned by: Mohammed bin Ali al-Attiya
2nd race: Majd Brooq (Mark Lawson) 1, Sahab Al Naif 2, Fiteen 3, Mouwash 4. Won by: Hd, 2 ½, 2. Time: 1:22.82. Trained by: A. Abbas. Owned by: Mohammed Ateeq Mohammed al-Marri
3rd race: Nazzaa Al Uraiq (Gerald Avranche) 1, Jeslik 2, Kinetic CS 3, Asas 4. Won by: Shd, 1, 1. Time: 1:14.32. Owned and trained by: Hassan Ali Hassan al-Matwi
4th race: Al Wasmiya (Gerald Avranche) 1, Waad 2, Haizum 3, Selhab Al Naif 4. Won by: 2 ½, 1 ½, ½. Time: 2:08.33, Trained by: Badr al-Abid. Owned by: Al Wasmiya Stud
5th race: Pearl Bridge (Seb Sanders) 1, Exodus 2, Andalieb 3, Suneagle 4. Won by: 3 ½, 1, 1 ½. Time: 1:55.64. Trained by: Zohair Moghsen. Owned by: Al Murqab Stud
6th race: Sworn (Yousef al-Hajri) 1, Dahab Gold 2, Exact 3, Barzan 4. Won by: Shd, Nk, 1 ½. Time: 1:06.71. Trained by: Mohammed Hamad al-Attiya. Owned by: Jassim bin Ali al-Attiya
7th race: Mefraas (Seb Sanders) 1, Star Deal 2, Rockinante 3, Elkhart 4. Won by: 5, 2 ½, 2 ½. Time: 1:54.79. Trained by: Zohair Moghsen. Owned by: Al Murqab Stud
8th race: Twentyfourseven (Stephane Ladjadj) 1, Ridge Wood Dani 2, Taigan 3, Yes We Can Dream 4. Won by: Nk, Hd, ½. Time: 1:13.20. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Hamad bin Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Attiya