March 22, 2014, Doha ~ Umm Qarn’s Nashmi (Amer x Danie Du Cassou) proved superior to his six rivals while winning the Yousef Al Romaihi Cup, a Pure Arabian race for four years old and over at the Racing and Equestrian Club on Thursday, March 20. The Alban de Mieulle trained Nashmi was ridden to victory by Pier Convertino. Al Shahania Stud’s Al Atique was second ahead of third, Shaklan.
Earlier, de Mieulle saddled TM Thunder Struck (Majd al Arab x Bonnett) to reign supreme in the Pure Arabian Graduation Plate. Jockey Convertino and TM Thunder Struck raced a handy third before makeing their challenge. Once alerted to the task on hand, TM Thunder Struck quickly changed gears to take the lead. Arraab finished with a flourish but could only diminish the margin of defeat. with Maazoz in third.
Al Jeryan Stud’s AJS Admiral (Amer x Maboud) was ably ridden to victory by jockey Salim Golam in the Local Bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. Making his sixth appearance on the race track, Mohammed Al Yaqout trained AJS Admiral came with a powerful finish to overhaul Moddhish and stable Ghazi and enter the winners enclosure for the first time.
Sheail Bin Khalifa Al Kuwari owned Haayil was ridden out by jockey Declan Cannon to shed his maiden status in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. The Jassim Al Ghazali trained Haayil raced in about fifth position till entering the straight and started to improve inside the last 300 metres. Jumaira Tower also charged towards the front and the two matched strides for a short distance before the Ghazali trainee forged ahead to spare a neck at the finish. Rawaa also impressed while finishing a close third.
Ahmed Kobeissi schooled Testudo was an impressive performer who broke through the maiden ranks in the Thoroughbred Graduation Plate. Testudo with Golam in the saddle raced in midfield for most part of the journey. As the field turned for home, Testudo came with giant strides and went past the front runners and stretched away to win in fine style from Right To Dream and Free Spin.
Golam went on to record a treble with Hearts Of Stone’s win in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 70 to 90. After assuming command in the final furlong, Golam and Hearts Of Stone held on gamely even as Azma attempted to overhaul the leader but found the winner too good on the day.
In a thrilling contest, Mohammed Hamad Al Attiya trained Al Wasmiya staved off the challenge of Barraq to win the Local Thoroughbred Handicap, a race for horses rated 0 to 50. Jockey Alberto Sanna was astride the winner, while Richard Mullen did all he could on Barraq but lost the race in the last stride of the race.
Osama Omar Al Dhafa’s Rio Grande was a runaway winner of the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 50 to 70. With jockey Marvin Suerland guiding his fortunes, Rio Grande was a pillar to post winner by three lengths. Sunley Pride, Chaperno and Princess Maya completed the frame.
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