Al Shahania Stud’s RAJEH wins season-opening Owners Cup
23 October 2019, Doha, Qatar ~ The famous royal blue and white stars silks of Al Shahania Stud were in the winner’s circle with RAJEH (Jaafer x Nelka) winning the season opening Owners Cup at Al Rayyan Park on Wednesday, 23 October 2019. The 1900m dirt feature saw Gassim Mohammad Ghazali trained Rajeh track Nasser Abdulla Al Rabban’s Al Afreet at the start along with Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Walid. Coming off the final bend, Tomas Lukasek had Rajeh push and the 5yo immediately upped his pace, went on the inside and surged forward for a fantastic 10 length victory with Osama Omer Al Dafea’s BAKER DE SAULARIE (Kerbella x Babiche De Saulari) going past AL WALID (Dahess x Al Sarwa) for the second place. The win was fourth on the day for Champion Trainer Ghazali and third for Lukasek.
Injaaz Stud’s AL MUSTAFIZ (AF AlBahar x Djimana) led a one-two for Champion Trainer Gassim Mohammad Ghazali in the LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN CONDITIONS. The 6yo had a C&D handicap victory 10 months ago, and the colt proved that the conditions are right in his comfort zone as he cantered well under apprentice rider Alexis Pouchin on the inside, before increasing his pace as another Ghazali ward, Rassan attacked coming off the final bend. Al Mustafiz however did well to win comfortably by a two lengths and a quarter for his fourth career win.
Dr. Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti & Sons’ KHOR AL ADAID (Amer x Si Vous Plait) had a string of top three finishes to cap his last season, and the 7yo had enough in him to keep the momentum going on Wednesday as the Ahmed Mohamad Kobeissi’s ward topped the PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP (75 & below) in thrilling fashion. Tomas Lukasek and his mount edged out Umm Qarn’s Badda by a short head to pick up a victory after almost two years over C&D. It was the second victory on the day for both Kobeissi and Lukasek.
After hitting the frame on four straight occasions last season, Injaaz Stud’s RAJAB (Harran ASF x Fiha) finally stepped into the winner’s circle, topping the PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE. The six furlong sprint saw the gelding step down in distance and partnered JP Guillambert well to race to a victory at the post with a length and a quarter to spare, which also opened the account for the season for Champion Trainer Gassim Mohammad Ghazali.
~ photos by Juhaim