The Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki-owned and trained Zyzzyva stayed the best of all to land the Barzan Cup winning the Thoroughbreds (Class I) on turf at Qatar Racing and Eques-trian Club’s (QREC) 12th Race Meeting (Guineas & Barzan Cup) at the Al Rayyan racecourse yesterday.
Jockey Tomas Lukasek guided the 6YO to stave off the challenge of his rivals and win the Gr3 TB contest by ¾ of a length.Bader Mohammed Al Darwish, QREC Acting CEO, crowned the winners of the Barzan Cup.Earlier, Al Ghazali Stud’s Djafar claimed the Purebred Arabian Guineas, the sixth race of the day, while completing a hat-trick.
The Jassim Ghazali-trained 4YO colt sped through the field under a well-timed ride from jockey David Allan to come out on top by a 1½ lengths.Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, pre-sented the trophies to the winners of the Purebred Arabian Guineas.
The Gr3 Thoroughbred Guineas saw a thrilling 4-way battle but it was Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Saqr who emerged victor.
Under Marco Casamento the gelding fought bravely for a short head win recording a quick-fire double for trainer Jassim Ghazali.Eng. Osama Omer Al-Dafea crowned the winners of the Local Thoroughbred Guineas.
The exciting day also saw Umm Qarn’s homebred Queen Storm storm home proving much the best in the Local Thoroughbred Guineas. Under jockey Ronan Thomas, the bay filly was a 2½-L runaway winner giving trainer Alban de Mieulle his double on the dayH E Sheikha Yasmeen Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Ragdan on a seasonal debut doubled his tally winning Sheraouh Island Cup.
The Rudy Nerbonne-trained colt took the 2000m run for P/As by a neck with Alberto Sanna in the saddle.Saeed Mohammed Al Shafi presented the Sheraouh Island Cup to Abdulrahman Al Mansour, Director of Al Sha-hania Stud, following H E Sheikha Yasmeen-owned Ragdan’s victory.Umm Qarn’s homebred Abida came with a late run under jockey Carlos Henrique to snatch victory in the 1400m Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-90) for 3YO+ by a neck for trainer Alban de Mieulle.
Owner/trainer Abdulaziz Ali Al Kathiri was the next to enter the winners’ enclosure thanks to his colt Al Mehrab in the Thoroughbred Novice Plate. Ridden by Anas Al Seyabi, the 2YO opened his account on his only 2nd time of asking.
Baida Al Gaa Farm started off the Guineas & Barzan Cups meeting with a winner in the Local P/A Maiden Plate as the Zuhair Mohsen-trained Al Ehdaashari, ridden by Soufiane Saadi, prevailed by a neck in the 1700m for 3YOs.
