Delozier, Yunus clinch Rodat Al Maida Cup

Jockey Lukas Delozier and five-year-old Yunus teamed up yesterday, showcasing a brilliant display of pace to claim the Rodat Al Maida Cup title at Al Rayyan Racecourse.

Yunus, owned by H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, took the lead early and maintained it till the end of the 1700m feature for 1700m Conditions for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians to secure one-and-a-half-length victory, also completing a double on the day for trainer Rudy Nerbonne. 

Marjan, ridden by Alberto Sanna, finished second ahead of Tamih, which was under Soufiane Saadi. Abdulaziz Jassim Al Boenain, Al Uqda Complex Manager presented the trophies to the winners of QR100,000 race.        

Also excelled during Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s (QREC) 41st Race Meeting was Wathnan Racing’s Neat And Dandy, who recorded his second victory in a row by winning the 1700m Handicap (65-85) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds by three quarters of a lengths. The Alban de Mieulle-trained 4YO gelding was ridden by Saadi. 

In the 1200m Handicap (0-80) for 3YO+ Thoroughbred, Fatima bint Sultan Al Dosari-owned Cloak And Dagger registered a commanding nine-and-a-half-length win with Saleh Faraj Al Otaibi guiding the Mohammed Ghazali-trained seven-year old. 

Meanwhile, Injaaz Stud’s colours, trainer Julian Smart and jockey Jefferson Smith recorded their second victory yesterday as Silencer cornered the Maiden for 3-6YO Thoroughbreds after winning the 1200m race by three quarters of a length.

They bagged their first victory claiming yesterday’s opening race when Nadiraha emerged as a two-and-a-half length winner in the 1700m Handicap (0-65) for 4YO+ Local Thoroughbreds. 

In other race, Shwomil’a was given a fine ride by jockey Rashid Ali Al Saaq, who steered the 4YO filly to success on fourth career start as she dominated the 1200m Maiden for 4-6YO Local Purebred Arabians by five lengths for trainer Nerbonne.

Earlier, Al Jeryan Stud’s Diva De Pine was an impressive winner of the 1200m Maiden for 4-6YO Purebred Arabians for trainer MHK Al Attiyah under Saadi, while Khadija Mohammed Al Bastaki-owned Rock Bottom won the 1200m Handicap (0-65) for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds under jockey Giuseppe Cultraro. 
Lukas Delozier rides Yunus during the feature for Rodat Al Maida Cup.