QREC chairman HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al-Thani (fifth from right) is seen with the winners of the Al Messaimeer Cup, which featured the penultimate day’s races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim
By Chris Hoover/Doha
Jassim al-Ghazali trained My Sharona plundered her rivals with a tremendous turn of foot and completely outclassed them all with a super display of speed to win the Messaimeer Cup, a Thoroughbred Conditions race which featured the penultimate day’s races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.
Jockey Marco Monteriso took the Ghazali to a pillar to post victory in a smart timing of one minute 10.35 seconds for the six furlong trip. Sandbetweenourtoes put in a gallant effort to finsh a close second.
The Ras Laffan Cup unfolded on expected lines as far as the finish was concerned. The two-pronged finish saw racing at its best and the crowd had lot to cheer for when Majd and Aseer battling every inch of the ground in the final 150 metres before the latter prevailed in a nail biting finish.
Al Moheeb set the tone for the 1,900 metres trip and led them into the straight before bowing out. Majd Safedeen trained Majd (Alberto Sanna up) then took charge and was picking up momentum, while O’Shea produced Aseer from the stand side. At the distance post, Majd had the slight edge, but he was soon joined by Aseer. Majd stretched himself to fight on bravely and was going all out. O’Shea then got Aseer to finish with a powerful run to snatch a shorthead victory.
Mohammed Hussain trained West De Faust (Madjani-Ginioux) was confidently piloted by Darren Williams to win the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. Dominicus set out in front followed by Reemiyat Al Shabhanah and Mudawy. As they moved into the straight for the final 400 metres, Dominicus began to quicken on the rails with Williams bidding his time to make his move. Once put into top gear, the Madjani progeny came alongside the front runner without much fuss. Inside the last 50 metres, West De Faust stepped up the pace and travelled the better of the two to record his first win in six starts.
Though it took nine outings for Blue Twister to shed his maiden status, the Salem al-Hajri saddled four-year-old colt put in a dazzling display while annexing the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate in splendid fashion. With Thameen setting the early pace, Blue Twister was raced in a handy second position by jockey Adnan Hawa. On entering the homestretch, Blue Twister cruised into the lead and stretched away from the rest to win as he pleased. Thameen unable to match strides with the winner, took the runner-up berth, while Cappuccino Delight and Ddiana completed the frame.
Jassim bin Ali al-Attiya owned Saint De Faust (Balushi astride) easily won the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 40 to 70. On a start to finish mission, Saint De Faust 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 Al Khattaf.
Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari’s Rising Dawn (Richard Mullen up) which had finished second to Nile Knight in his last start recorded a smashing victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 60 to 80. After racing a handy third until the final furlong, Rising Dawn stretched away to leave the others to fight for minor places. Dubai Sunshine alos finished with a flourish to take the second place ahead of Haayil.
Hab Reeh took his third win in eight starts when the progeny of Hatteen came good under the riding of Declan Cannon in the Local Bred Pure Arabian Advanced Plate. AJS Qahir led the field into the straight but had no answer when Hab Reeh pounced on him. The Ghazali trainee then stretched away to win by a neck from the late finishing Thawi, who came with telling strides in the final stages of the race but could only diminish the margin of defeat.
Mohammed Majeed schooled Big Gees was a pillar to post winner of the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 60 and below. Big Gees with jockey Marvin Suerland on board, led from the start and skipped away from Maliha who was getting into stride long after the front runner had sewn up the race.
1 Trainer Mohammed al-Yaqout (right) leads in Aseer (O’Shea up) after a thrilling victory in the Ras Laffan cup at the QREC yesterday. RIGHT: QREC deputy chairman Abdulaziz al-Malki (right) presents the Ras Laffan Cup to Al Jeryan Stud trainer Mohammed al-Yaqout after his ward Aseer had won the event at the QREC yesterday.
