The result meant that jockey Alberto Sanna opened and closed the seven race card with a win, besides finishing in the top three more times on the day. Zuhair Mohsen saddled Pearl Bridge had taken the early lead with Pierantonio Convertino in pursuit on Mohamed Jassim Ghazali’s Itorio.
Moving steadily forward, Sanna had Mohamed al-Ramzani’s ward stay on the outside and pick up speed with two furlongs to go. Tomas Lukasek too had Deborah Mountain’s Markstein up the pace but Karraar was off and away.
While Markstein did close the gap but it was not enough for a win. Pearl Bridge held on for third place under Stephan Ladjadj. The win was Karraar’s second this month.
Local Thoroughbred Handicap (Open)
After being beaten by stablemate Sraab on four previous occasions for victory this season, trainer Ahmed Kobeissi enjoyed a one-two when Qatari jockey Faleh Bughanaim guided Footprintinthesand to win in the 1900m run on Wednesday.
This was only the second time this season that Footprintinthesand, owned by Mohammed Kazim al-Ansari & Sons, beat the 8yo mare.
The 6yo finished two lengths ahead of Gerald Avranche’s ride, while Alban de Mieulle’s Mutawassal, owned by Patrice Nicolet, was third under Jean Baptiste Hamel.
Local Thoroughbred Handicap (80 & below)
After being well held two weeks ago, Jassim Mohamed Ghazali saddled Abrar registered her first win this season in the six furlong sprint on dirt.
Pierantonio Convertino’s confident ride saw the Hussain Ali Bukanan owned filly register her fifth career win, finishing a comfortable two and a half lengths ahead of Ibrahim al-Malki’s Daleem, helmed by Eduardo Pedroza, while Alberto Sanna registered his fourth top three finish of the day with Majed Seifeddine saddled Cannon make it to the frame.
Thoroughbred Handicap (F&M) (CLASS 5)
Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani’s Neutron Bomb brought an end to a string of near misses and top three finishes to shed her maiden status on her eighth attempt in Qatar.
The Ibrahim al-Malki trained filly had finished in the top three for six straight runs even as the win eluded the 5yo.
On Wednesday, Eduardo Pedroza helmed the filly as she went past the post first, ahead of Owaida S al-Hajri schooled Sugar Strand, ridden by Alberto Sanna, while Hamad Ahmed al-Jehani’s Modest was third under Jean Baptiste Hamel.
Purebred Arabian Handicap (90 & below)
Aziznefs’ (Amer x Uchka De Ghazal) impressive season continued as the Jassim Mohammed Ghazali trained colt registered his fifth straight victory this season, with Harry Bentley guiding the 5yo to a comfortable win in the 1700m run on Wednesday.
Riding in the colours of Al Shahania Stud, Bentley had the colt finish one and a half length ahead of Rabiah al-Kaabi trained Sand Legend, ridden by Gerald Avranche, while Alban de Mieulle’s charge Gadab completed the top three under Jean Baptiste Hamel.
Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate
Qatari jockey Faleh Bughanaim guided Al Shaqab Racing’s Bsheer to a commanding victory in the nine furlong run for trainer Hussein Aashoor.
The 5yo finished an impressive seven lengths ahead of Jassim Mohamed Ghazali trained Al Mansab.
The finish was Bsheer’s best by quite a bit, having finished fifth in his previous outing and being well held before that in January.
Pierantonio Convertino helmed Al Mansab edged out Hadi al-Ramzani’s ward, Raqyah, by a head for the second spot.
Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (Class 6)
After coming close twice earlier this season, Hadi al-Ramzani trained Top Face shed his maiden status in the seven race card opener on Wednesday.
Ridden by Alberto Sanna, Top Face had his game face on, finishing three lengths ahead of the competition in the 1100m sprint, with Salem al-Hajri schooled Atlantic Sea taking the second spot on the podium with Xavier Ziani riding the 6yo to a runner-up finish ahead of Mohamed Riyaz’s charge Firsts First, helmed by Jean Baptiste Hamel.
