Al-Malki’s Jungle Mate claims Ras Laffan Cup
Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim al-Malki-owned and trained Jungle Mate delivered a stunning front-running performance to win Ras Laffan Cup at the QREC’s Al Rayyan Racecourse on Friday.In the hands of jockey Tomas Lukasek, the three-year-old gelding secured a dominant 7½-length victory in the 1,100m sprint for three-year-old+ Thoroughbreds, securing his second straight win in just three starts this season. Al Jasra Stud’s Crush and Run came second.Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winners.In the penultimate race of the day, Rammah, in the colours of Hamad Nasser al-Naimi, won the 1,200m contest - Purebred Arabian Handicap (75-95) for the three-year-old+.Jockey Jefferson Smith rode the Ahmed Kobeissi-trained eight-year-old gelding to beat Mohammed bin Fahad A H al-Attiya-owned and Mohammed Ghazali-trained Al Zain by 2½ lengths.In the card opener, Mashhoor, in the silks of Saif Rashid Saif al-Khayarin, convincingly won the 1,700m Thoroughbred Handicap (45-65) race for three-year-old+.The Ahmed al-Jehani-trained 4-year-old gelding defeated Nasser Saeed M S al-Eida-owned and Jassim Ghazali-trained Dawn Vega by three lengths.RESULTS15th Al Rayyan Meeting - Ras Laffan CupWINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)1. Ras Laffan Cup, Thoroughbred Open Race, 3YO+, 1,100mJungle Mate, Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim al-Malki, Tomas Lukasek2. Purebred Arabian Handicap (75-95), 3YO+, 1,200mRammah, Ahmed Kobeissi, Jefferson Smith3. Thoroughbred Handicap (60-80), 3YO+, 1,700mBlessed Boy, Rashid Mohammed Alathba, Maikon De Souza4. Local Thoroughbred Handicap (40-60), 3YO+, 2,500mDukhan, Mohammed Hussain Afroz, Maxim Bozzio5. Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (55-75), 3YO+, 1,700mMukabr, Dr Fahad Salman al-Hajri, Salman Fahad al-Hajri6. Thoroughbred Handicap (0-75), 3YO+, 1,200mEthandun, Hamad al-Jehani, Meteb Ali al-Marri7. Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, 4-6YOs, 2,500mFarhan, Mohammed Ghazali, Lukas Delozier8. Thoroughbred Handicap (45-65), 3YO+, 1,700mMashhoor, Ahmed al-Jehani, Saleh Faraj al-Otaibi