QREC chairman HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al-Thani, Ali bin Yousef al-Romaihi, Mubarak bin Yousef al-Romaihi and Fahad bin Yousef al-Romaihi are seen with the winners of the Yosuef Al Romaihi Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. PICTURES: Juhaim
Alban de Mieulle trained Nashmi (Amer-Danie Du Cassou) proved too superior to the opposition while winning the Yousef Al Romaihi Cup, a Pure Arabian race for four years old and over, the highlight of the eight-event card at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. Sporting the colours of Umm Qarn, Nashmi was ridden to victory by Italian saddle artist Pier Convertino.
Harir was pushed to take over the running from the start with Vit’al Fauquey in close attendance. Rounding the final turn, Harir continued to dictate the terms of the race. Once Nashmi was alerted to the task on hand, it ceased to be a contest.
Nashmi sprouted a pair of wings and sped away from the field to win quite comfortably. Nashmis is now headed to France to compete in the European circuit.
“It has been a sort of a relief to see Nashmi win today. Many of our horses are sick and we have been unable to race them. Nashmi was in better condition than during the Emir’s Sword day. I was a bit worried today as Al Shahania had three good horses in the fray but Nashmi did not disappoint us.
“He ran a good race but I think a 2000 metres trip would suit him better. Nashmi will now be taken to France and will compete in the races there,” trainer de Mieulle told the Gulf Times.
Ghazali schooled Haayil put in a powerful finishing effort to clinch a three way battle at the post in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. Blazing Rock went into the lead and was followed closely by Lions Park and Jersey Royal. In the straight, Lions Park was ahead and travelling well when Rawaa came with a spirited challenge and took over the running. Jockey Declan Cannon and Haayil were making efforts to get into a rhythm.
It all happened inside the last 100 metres when Haayil got the measure of Rawaa. Meanwhile Jumaira Tower came through an opening in the middle and finished on strongly. But it was in vain as Haayil had reached the safety of the winning post to win by a neck.
Umm Qarn’s TM Thunder Struck recorded a facile win in the Pure Arabian Graduation Plate. Under the riding of Pier Convertino, TM Thunder Struck moved strongly from the third position at the bend to gather speed with minimum of fuss to win by nearly two lengths from the late finishing Arraab. Maazous who tried runaway tactics was third ahead of Candahar.
Al Jeryan Stud’s Admiral had shown his indication to strike in his last outing second to Al Khattaf. The Mohammed al-Yaqout trained Admiral did no wrong when the chance came his way again in the Local Bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. He had stripped much fitter this time and it showed in no uncertain terms. Lying in the mid-bunch, Admiral stormed past the fighting duo of Moddhish and Ghazi and win by over a length. Jockey Salim Golam rode a well hudged race on the winner.
Golam who had partnered Admiral to victory, came up with another dazzling display while steering Testudo to a commanding win in the Thoroughbred Graduation Plate. After racing a handy third, Golam urged Testudo into the lead with a furlong more to go. The Ahmed Kobeissi trainee sped away in the homestretch to win quite comfortably from Right To Dream who was in futile chase of the winner.
Jockey Golam was in his elements as he went on to record a treble for the day. Golam steered Ahmed Kobeissi saddled Hearts Of Stone to a fluent win in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 70 to 90.
Osama Omar al-Dhafa’s Rio Grande put in a dazzling display while decimating the field in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 50 to 70. Rio Grande (Marvin Suerland up) recorded a pillar to post victory without being fully stretched. Sunley Pride ran n to take the second place ahead of Chaperno.
In the day’s other action, Mohammed Hamad al-Attiya schooled Al Wasmiya came up stunning performance while beating Barraq in virtually the last stride of the Local Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 50 and below. Jockey Alberto Sanna gave a great ride on the winner.
Results
1st race: AJS Admiral (Salim Golam) 1, Moddhish 2, AJS Ghazi 3, Khafouqi 4. Won by: 1 ¼, Shd, ½. Time: 1:32.34. Trained by: Mohammed al-Yaqout. Owned by: Al Jeryan Stud
2nd race: Haayil (Declan Cannon) 1, Jumaira Tower 2, Rawaa 3, Lions Park 4. Won by: Nk, Shd, ¾. Time: 2:05.59. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari
3rd race: TM Thunder Struck (Pier Convertino) 1, Arraab 2, Maazouz 3, Candahar 4. Won by: 1 ½, ½, 1 ½. Time: 1:16.83. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn
4th race: Testudo (Salim Golam) 1, Right To Dream 2, Free Spin 3, Burren Quality 4. Won by: 2 ½, 1 ¾, ½. Time: 1:52.58. Trained by: Ahmed Kobeissi. Owned by: Mohammed Kazim Al Ansari and Sons
5th race: Al Wasmiya (Alberto Sanna) 1, Barraq 2, Napolean 3, Al Moheeb 4. Won by: Shd, 5, Hd. Time: 1:12.99. Trained by: Mohammed Hamad al-Attiya. Owned by: Ali bin Hamad bin Ali al-Attiya
6th race: Rio Grande (Marvin Suerland) 1, Sunley Pride 2, Chaperno 3, Princess Maya 4. Won by: 3, 1, Nk. Time: 1:22.18. Owned and trained by: Osama Omar al-Dhafa
7th race: Hearts Of Stone (Salim Golam) 1, Azma 2, Cool Wave 3, City Zen 4. Won by: Nk, 2, Nk. Time: 1:34.99. Trained by: Ahmed Kobeissi. Owned by: Mohammed Kazim Al Ansari and Sons
8th race: Nashmi (Pier Convertino) 1, Al Atique 2, Shaklan 3, Al Bashtoon 4. Won by: 2 ½, ¾, 1 ½. Time: 2:40.56. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn
BELOW:
Jockey Pier Convertino rides Nashmi to a fluent victory in the Yousef Al Romaihi Cup yesterday.