on the rail
24, January 2014, Doha QREC ~ Al Jeryan Stud’s AJS Fath Elkheir (Amer x Aicha Du Berlais) from the stables of Mohand Al Yaqout got its due when it was given a confident ride by Salim Golam to annex the Abdulla Bin Hamad Al Attiya Cup, a Local Bred Pure Arabian Conditions race at the Racing and Equestrian Club on Thursday, January 23. The 26th race day was held under the patronage of the Chairman of Administrative Control and Transparency Authority HE Mr Abdulla Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, who gave away the prizes to the winners.
Majid Safedeen-trained Maazouz (Amer x Khawater) galloped resolutely inside the last 250 metres to win the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. Maazouz, that had finished fifth to the classy Assy in his previous outing, shed its maiden status with a fluent victory. Racing upfront from the word ‘go’, Maazouz made rapid progress under jockey Darren Williams and when the race took a serious turn, the Safedeen trainee sped away from the field to win quite comfortably from Al Khattaf and Ashkal.
Abdulreda Abbas-saddled Chandlery won the Thoroughbred Graduation Plate in a runaway fashion. Jockey Gerald Avranche took Chandlery to the front within the first furlong, came into the home straight with a lead of nearly three lengths and kicked on to win with ease. Testudo, Right To Dream and Pay Freeze filled the frame in that order.
Mujidd (Majd Al Arab x Mabrookah), the five year old from the Alban de Mieulle stables having shed his maiden ranks in the previous start 9 Jan), repeated that performance to score an encore in the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 0 to 50. Even though stablemate Jouharah came with a spirited challenge along the rails, Mujidd was up to the task on hand as he held on gamely to win by a neck.
Abdulaziz Al Qaithri’s ward, The Smart One, came out of its maiden status in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate with a smashing victory. Half Turn and King Oliver were dead-heated for the second place, half a length behind the winner.
Ahmed Kobeissi-schooled Hearts Of Stone won the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 60 to 80, quite comfortably. The four year old bay colt headed past the front running Freckenham approaching the last 400 metres and stretched out easily on the home stretch to register a facile win. Millers Wharf came with a late bid to take the second place from Seven Of Clubs.
Hamad Bin Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Attiya-owned Sejalaat was given a peach of ride by Gerald Avranche while annexing the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 70 to 90. Racing a handy third behind Alsefra and Sand Boy, Sejalaat pounded on the front runners in the final furlong and went away to record his maiden career win. Excuse To Linger and Cool Wave also impressed while finishing close second and third respectively.
Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari-owned Botanic Garden (Yanis Aouabed up) made it a start to finish affair in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 85 and above. Unable to match strides with the winner, General Duke’s was second ahead of Sydney Harbour.
~end