February 5, 2014, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club ~
Sheail Bin Khalifa Al Kuwari owned Sandbetweeourtoes with Stephen Ladjadj astride came up with a stunning gallop down the final straight to win the Wadi Al Sail Cup. Racing third till entering the home stretch, Sandbetweenourtoes was pulled out to make a bid and the Ghazali trainee rushed to take the advantage from Beach Club. Elwazeer came with a strong gallop in the final stages but could not get past Sandbetweenourtoes, who won by half a length.
Alban de Mieulle saddled Haifaa (Amer x Djelmila) to carry the silks of Umm Qarn to a resounding victory in the Local Bred Pure Arabian Advanced Plate. Haifaa looked robust in the parade ring when the five contenders turned up for their customary parade before the race. Entering the home stretch, Haifaa travelled smoothly, providing Pier Convertino an armchair ride while outclassing the opposition with absolute disdain.
TM Thunder Struck, trained by Alban de Mieulle sported a pair of wings, en-route to a commanding victory in the Pore Arabian Graduation Plate. This was the first win for the de Mieulle trainee in his fourth start. Jockey Pier Convertino rode the colt in check till entering the home stretch and unleashed a terrific run to get past the front running Nomaas and Raheel with utmost ease. Convertino did not move a limb and Thunder Struck (Majd al Arab x Bonnett) stretched out effortlessly to win by a big margin of four lengths from Raheel and Nomaas.
Julian Smart schooled Harran (Burning Sand x Aziza D’Aroco) edged out Bin Amer for his first win of the season in the Pure Arabian Conditions race run over seven furlongs. Bentley had Bin Amer up in front mid-way up the straight when Christophe Lemaire alighted Harran on the outside. Harran, who had finished second behind Bin Amer when they met in their previous run, came up with a really strong run to avenge that defeat by 1/2 length in a field of 14.
Majid Safedeen trained Mojave Desert scored a convincing victory in the Zekret Cup, a Thoroughbred Conditions race for Fillies and Mares. Jockey Darren Williams settled Mojave Desert well to be in touch with the front bunch till the bend and started to move up steadily. With about 300 metres left from home Mojave Desert took charge and kicked on well till the finish. Sputnik Sweetheary was up with a challenge inside the last furlong but could not get to the winner and ended up second. Botanica and Walfa filled the frame in that order while Tusker finished fifth.
Jockey Christophe Lemaire who is here for the Qatar Gold Sword and Trophies day, warmed up for the occasion with a victorious ride on Dhafi Al Ardhi Al Marri owned Barraq in the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. Lemaire got off to a good start on Barraq setting off on a start to finish mission. Barraq which had finished sixth to Moaddie in his previous run, found extra gas to kick on and win by half a length from Talla, while Napolean was third ahead of Al Zubara.
A peach of a ride by British jockey Harry Bentley enabled Zakhir Stud’s Pairumani Prince to get the better of Court Life in the dying moments of the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 50 to 70. Autumn Sunrise was quick at the start to head straight to the inner rails from the outside draw and set a strong pace. Court Life raced on the haunches of the front runner till the top of the straight and assumed command as the field entered the home stretch. Meanwhile Bentley brought Pairumani Prince with a sustained run on the outside. The two fought every inch of ground from there on and the stronger finish of Bentley earned him his 18th win of the season.
Abdulreda Abbas trained Pergueux won the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 65 to 85 in a three-way finish with Zakon and Elkhart. Zakon ran prominently till the last few yards while Perigueux was being ridden out by Alberto Sanna while Elkhart trying to poke through. Perigueux surged ahead of Zakon by three fourths of a length at the finish and Elkhart finished third a similar distance behind.
February 4 ~ Willie The Whipper wins Khor Al Adaid Cup
Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari owned Willie The Ripper (Whipper-Anna Song) trained by Jassim Al Ghazali was ridden with great aplomb by James Doyle to emerge victorious in the Group 3 Khor Al Adaid Cup, a Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 85 and above, the main event of the races at the Racing and Equestrian Club on Tuesday, February 4. Attempting start to finish tactics Oasis Cannes was beaten by a neck in the final stride of the race, which carried a purse of QR 150,000.
HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani owned Arraab (Declan Cannon up) rose to the occasion to win the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate on his debut. Coming strongly along the rails, Arraab (Amer x Cath) thwarted the spirited bid of owner mate Al Khattaf.
Al Mawatheek was ably ridden by Frenchman Stephen Ladjadj to win the Local Bred Pure Arabian Handicap rated 0 to 50. Nazzaa Al Uraiq went to the lead within the first furlong and was the first to show up on the final straight. Ladjadj started to ride out Al Mawatheek (Majd Al Arab x Barissa Lotoise) with intent and the four year old also responded well to peg back Jouharah by one and a quarter at the finish. Heytham was third another ‘three fourth length away.
Al Shahania Stud’s Kassam (Burning Sand x Mahmoona) with Yanis Aouabed up clinched the Local Bred Pure Arabian Graduation Plate with a measure of comfort from Mujidd and Jehad, who chased the winner in vain.
Photos by Juhaim
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