(MENAFN- The Peninsula) fawad hussain |
The Peninsula
Doha: Abdullah Saeed Abdullah Al Mesnad-owned Ghannam grabbed top honours at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club's (QREC) 16th Al Uqda Meeting, clinching the Al Arish Cup after a thrilling race yesterday.
Following a tough competition with Sha'alan in the feature, the seven-year-old, which had Alberto Sanna in the saddle, won the 1300m Conditions for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians to steal show at Al Uqda Equestrian Complex.
Ghannam, which is trained by Wasim Al Sahn, held on gamely to secure a neck victory over Sha'alan under jockey Marco Casamento. Soufiane Saadi rode Quepos to third place in the race that carried a total prize purse of QR80,000. The winners of the feature were honoured by Al Uqda Equestrian Complex Manager Abdulaziz Jassim Al Boenain.
In penultimate contest of the day, Ghazwan Racing's Midrass completed a double in a span of only five days, landing the title for 1400m Handicap (0-95) for 5YO+ Purebred Arabian after an impressive run.
Soufiane Saadi piloted the Hadi Al Ramzani-trained to quarter-of-a length win, which was second for the pair that also claimed the Mesaieed Cup triumph on Saturday.
Jockey Alberto Sanna guides Ghannam towards the finish line.
The victory also completed a quickfire double of the day for Saadi, who earlier teamed up with Khalid Abdulaziz Al Kuwari's Selous to lift the 1400m Handicap (65-85) for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds trophy.
The pair's thrilling win by a neck over Main Reef also sealed a brace of victories for trainer Zuhair Mohsen.
Abdulaziz Ali Al Kathiri's Shivraj gave trainer Mohsen his first win of the day when he emerged fastest in the 1400m Novice for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds. Ridden by Ronan Thomas, the four-year-old gelding stormed to the finish line two-and-a-half lengths ahead of runner-up Glory Of The Stars.
Also yesterday, Al Sareh, owned by Al Anood Stud, got off the mark in style prevailing over his opponents in the 1400m Maiden for 4-6YO Local Thoroughbreds. The six-year-old gelding trained by Alanoud Khalifa Al Malki, registered a dominant five-and-a-half-length victory under Carlos Henrique.
Meanwhile, Al Shaqab Racing's homebred Gasham outpaced Aria Du Soleil, recording a thrilling short head win to earn the 1400m Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate title. Lukas Delozier rode the four-year-old colt, trained by Eric Lemartinel.
The opening contest of the seven-race card day saw Faleh Suwayed Al Ajami's Brazen Bow – trained by Mohammed Ghazali – sealing the 1400m Handicap (0-65) for 4YO+ Thoroughbred title after a half-length triumph under Casamento.