Trainer Ghazali creates history with a clean sweep

QREC chairman HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al-Thani (fourth from right) is seen with the winners of the Messaimeer Cup at the QREC yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim

By Chris Hoover/DohaTrainer Jassim al-Ghazali created history by making a clean sweep of the eight-event card at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. The champion trainer also erased his own record of 140 and took his tally to a whopping 146 for the season. Two of the victories included the Ras Laffan Cup and Messaimeer Cup, which featured the 47th day’s races.Mishal bin Ali al-Attiya owned Al Hareth took his seventh consecutive win with a brilliant victory in the Ras Laffan Cup, a Local Thoroughbred Conditions race run over 1,900 metres. The versatile Al Hareth gave its rider Harry Bentley his sixth consecutive win for the day as well. In a keenly contested race, Al Hareth took charge of the proceedings at the top of the straight and stretched away in fine fashion to win by nearly two lengths from Absher who gave a futile chase to teh winner.“He is an amazing horse which can do well in any distance. He came up with yet another brilliant performance today. It has been another great day for me at the races. I think getting to a 100 wins seems realistic now and I will give out my best to achieve the target,” jockey Bentley who completed 87 wins said. Jockey Stephane Ladjadj astride Lupie, completed a double for the day with a brilliant victory in the Messaimeer Cup, a Thoroughbred Conditions race, run over six furlongs. After a stirring duel with Victory Laurel in the final furlong, Ladjadj managed to thwart the spirited bid of his pursuer and provide a clean sweep for trainer Ghazali.“I have always dreamt of winning all the races in a card and today it has become a reality. After the sixth win, I felt that there was a chance to win all eight as we had a few strong contenders in the last two races. It is an amazing feeling to win all the races on the card. Bentley and Ladjadj did well to fulfil my wishes,” trainer Ghazali told the Gulf Times.Akeed Misk pulled off a hard fought victory and jockey Bentley did well to get the maximum out of the three year old bay filly in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. The fight began soon on turning for home as King Of Doha threw the towel in after raising some hope.  Akeed Misk darted into the lead and had a slight upper hand when Lantern’s First arrived to challenge. The duo were engaged in a neck and neck duel with Akeed Misk gaining with each stride. Bentley managed to wriggle free and moved ahead in sight of the winning post and registered a half length victory.Count Curlin which had last tasted success two years ago, came with a brilliant performance to win the Throughbred Handicap for horses rated 60 and below, in taking style. Jockey Bentley was quick to settle Count Curlin in fourth as Mirla Blanca set the pace for the nine fulrong trip. Mallak was up next along with Blazers Rock. Count Curlin took charge as he surged ahead soon on turning for home. He sailed smoothly into the lead and worked up a steady gallop. First Peninsular soon moved to second with Mallak also improving places. However, neither could match the brilliance of Count Curlin. The Ghazali trainee won easily without encountering any resistance. First Peninsular  ran on to take second place and ought to improve after this run and may not take too long to enter the winners enclosure soon.Ghazali and Bentley made it three in a row with the victory of Khafouqi in the Pure Arabian Graduation Plate. After racing a handy second until the home turn, Khafouqi surged ahead and went away to win by nearly two lengths. The Ghazali and Bentkey show continued with their fourth win on the trot. Bentley had to use all the resources at his command to steer Saakhen to a narrow win in the Thoroughbred Handicao for horses rated 50 to 70. Though Half Turn had assumed command and looked set to land the spoils, Bentley’s power packed finish brought the Ghazali trainee into contention and eventually a half length victory.Bentley later partnered Rasi to a fluent victory in the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 70 to 100 to make it five in a row.Injaaz Stud’s Istibdad galloped to his maiden victory with a fluent win in the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate, run over six furlongs. The Ghazali schooled Istibdad entrusted to Stephane Ladjadj, looked the part in the paddock and was quick to take the initiative at the start. He grabbed the lead entering the straight and produced a fiery gallop to shut His opponents out within a few strides. Istibdad grew stronger at the finish and sailed home to post a three length win. Muhjaj came from the mid-field to take the runner up slot from a bunch of horses clustered together. Farashat Yasmina did well to end third.RESULTS1st race: Istibdad (Stephane Ladjadj) 1, Muhjah 2, Al Taweel 3, Farashat Yasmina 4. Won by: 3, 2 ½, 3. Time: 1:17.60. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Injaaz Stud2nd race: Akeed Misk (Harry Bentley) 1, Lantern’s First 2, King Of Doha 3, Marzog 4. Won by: ½, 1 ½, Nk. Time: 1:54.15. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Miss Maryam bint Sheail al-Kuwari3rd race: Count Curlin (Harry Bentley) 1, First Peninsula 2, Mallak 3, Mirlo Blanco 4. Won by: 5, 3, ¾. Time: 1:54.48. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Jassim Mohammed Al Ghazali and Sons4th race: Khafouqi (Harry Bentley) 1, Naamah 2, Bony Des Vialettes 3, Dheram Al Naif 4. Won by: 1 ½, Hd, ½. Time: 1:17.08. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari5th race: Saakehn (Harry Bentley) 1, Half Turn 2, Elastomer 3, Sunley Pride 4. Won by: ½, 3, Shd. Time: 1:10.58. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Injaaz Stud6th race: Rasi (Harry Bentley) 1, Al Khattaf 2, West De Faust 3, Saint De Faust 4. Won by: 5, 1 ½, Shd. Time: 2:01.93. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani7th race: Al Hareth (Harry Bentley) 1, Absher 2, Moaddie 3, Majd 4. Won by: 1 ½, 1, 2 ½. Time: 2:02.69. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Mishal bin Ali al-Attiya8th race: Lupie (Stephane Ladjadj) 1, Victory Laurel 2, Sandbetweenourtoes 3, Botanic Garden 4. Won by: Hd, 1 ¾, Nk. Time: 1:09.34. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Injaaz Stud

BELOW:A jubilant Jassim al-Ghazali leads in Lupie (Stephane Ladjadj up) after winning the Messaimeer Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.