2nd Jan, 2014, Doha ~ Al Jeryan Stud’s Aseer wins Al Jassasiya CupAl Jeryan Stud’s Aseer was successful on a start-to-finish mission while taking the Al Jassasiya Cup, the main event of the 20th race meeting at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) on Thursday, 2 January 2014. The Mohannad Al Yaqout-trained Aseer was taken by jockey Stephane Ladjadj to the front from the word ‘go’ and made every post a winning one. Absher came with a spirited challenge, but could not pass the winner. Assil was third ahead of Mustabseel.
Al Shahania Stud’s Haytham (Amer x Baldora De Brugere) withYanis Aouabed astride pulled off an exciting victory in the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. The Ghazali-schooled Haytham thwarted the challenge of Hassiba and AJS Admiral by the shortest of margins.
Alban de Mieulle saw success when Jouharah (Mugadir x Zabieh) piloted by Italian, Pier Convertino, to victory in the Local Bred Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 0 to 50. Shadeedah was a close second ahead of Al Mawatheek.
Again the De Mieulle-schooled Mu Tazz was a comfortable winner of the Thoroughbred Graduation Plate. Jockey Convertino was astride the winner while Mojave Desert was three lengths behind in second place ahead of Pearl Bridge and Girl Of Cadiz.
HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani-owned Taraf (Burning Sand x Gethaabah) came from way off the pace and devoured ground in the final furlong to get past the front runners and win the Pure Arabian Graduation Plate, run over six furlongs. Umm Qarn’s Bahjah also impressed while taking the runner-up berth with a late bid. AJS Qahir and Kaydoum completed the frame.
Trainer Julian Smart, who had earlier saddled Taraf to victory, had another winner for the day as Aziz Al Shahania (Prince D’Orient x Baldora De Brugere) was brilliantly ridden by Guillambert while warding off the challenge of Nashmi in the Pure Arabian Graduation Plate. Aziz Al Shahania and Umm Qarn’s Nashmi fought every inch of the ground in the final furlong before the former prevailed in a nail biting finish.
Dr Fahad Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah and Sons-owned Elwazeer put in a gallant display while winning the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 70 to 90 in a fluent fashion. Frenchman Gerald Avranche rode a confident race on the winner while Rule Maker, Perigueux and Hearts Of Stone took the second, third and fourth places respectively.
The Thoroughbred Conditions race witnessed a thrilling encounter. Clean Bowled from the stables of Ghazali finished with a flourish in the final stages of the race to overhaul Peter Anders in the shadow of the winning post. Dubawi King also came into contention but could manage only third place.
Photos by Juhaim
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