DOHA: Jockey Marvin Suerland yesterday underlined his intentions for the new season, winning three battles including the day’s richest race the Owners Cup at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC).
Suerland, who bagged two wins before entering the starting gates for the feature race, guided La Hoor to a convincing win in the QR100,000 Owners Cup.
With riders bunched together until the end, La Hoor managed to outrun Fouladh - considered the best horse in the country - and Raedah, ridden by P Convertino.
Suerland received the winner’s trophy from Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh Al Thani, the QREC Chairman.
“Yes, it was a good day. It was a fantastic day for me,” Suerland said after the race. “I am very happy. I was not so lucky in the last season. But it feels good with three winners,” Suerland added.
“He (La Hoor) was with me in training in Germany. In the summer he did really well. I think it was very easy for us to run here,” Suerland said. “Hopefully we can go for the Guiness next week.”
La Hoor owner Hassan Ali Hassan Al Matwi said: “It is a special moment. He ran against Fouladh - the best horse in Qatar. It was a very good race. That’s why I am happy. He will only go for Classic races. Hopefully we can take him to Dubai World Cup.”
Al Matwi added: “I feel he is not ready yet. Once he runs a few races here and then we can take him to the Classics.”
Also yesterday, jockey Marco Monteriso guided Al Nakhsh to an improbable win in the Pure Arabian run, the second richest race at QREC as owner Al Matwi celebrated his first win of the day.
The Al Matwi-trained three-year-old finished ahead of Thunder Struck - ridden by David Bouland - and AJS Qahir - who was piloted by day’s hero Suerland.
Monteriso secured the top prize of QR45,600 in the 11-rider race.
In what could be described as a thrilling finish, Al Rayyan Al Sakab produced a late flourish to nail first place in the 1400m race, the sixth race on the card for the day.
Ridden by Suerland, Al Rayyan Al Sakab edged past race leaders Baaria and Al Bidha to claim the top prize of QR45,600. It was Suerland’s second win of the day.
Baaria, ridden by Bouland, finished second while S Golam-piloted Al Bidha ended in third spot.
Continuing with his fine run of form over two weeks, jockey Stephan Ladjadj guided Sandbetweenourtoes to an emphatic win in the Thoroughbred Handicap Rated 60-80.
The Jassim Ghazali-trained thoroughbred galloped toward the finish line with purpose, leaving behind Statesmanship and Compass Way to jostle for the second and third spots respectively. Sandbetweenourtoes won by two lengths.
Overall it was Ladjadj’s sixth win in what was the second round of races at QREC.
In race four, Samminder edged past Beach Club and Botanic Garden in a tight finish. With jockey Andrew Elliot in the saddle, Samminder was pushed to the limit in the 1200m turf race.
The Jassim Ghazali-trained Botanic Garden ended the QR55,000 race in third spot, finishing behind Beach Club ridden by Golam.
In race three, Aziz Al Shahania sealed the win in the Pure Arabian Graduation Plate. Ridden by J P Guillambert, Aziz Al Shahania overcame a furious challenge from Al Pacinoo and Hariir.
Al Pacinoo, ridden by Declan Cannon, nearly pulled off a surprise win but Aziz Al Shahania remained steady in the final meters to seal his win.
In race two, Candahar emerged runaway winner by beating Ashkal and Al Baaz to the top prize of QR50,000. Ridden by Darren Williams, Candahar proved to be the fastest in the five-runner race, winning by two lengths.
Piloted by Yanisa Aouabed, the Jassim Ghazali-trained Ashkal was second while Stephanus Swanepoel guided Al Baaz to the third spot.
In race one, Mustabseel clinched the issue with a late burst near the finish line, winning by one and a half lengths.
Ridden by Suerland, Mustabseel won the 1200m race in a time of 1:13:63.
Zahrat Al Sawsan, ridden by French jockey Ladjadj, finished in second spot whereas Napolean with Golam in the saddle got the third place.
THE PENINSULA
