Jockey Tomas Lukasek guides Harab Al Naif to Asherij Cup win. Pics: Juhaim/QREC
Doha: Jockey Tomas Lukasek wrapped up a fine day guiding Yousuf Abdulla Al Lingawi-owned Harab Al Naif to Asherij Cup triumph during the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s (QREC) third race meeting at Al Rayyan Racecourse, yesterday.
As expected, it was an exciting 1200m run for Local Purebred Arabian Conditions, with Eng. Mohamed Rashid Seif Al Kuwari-trained Harab Al Naif picking up pace in the final stages to claim the seven-race card feature by 1½ length.
Hugo Besnier rode Moneeaty to second place in the QR100,000 race, with Alzubarah Katara, ridden by Giuseppe Cultraro, finishing third in the feature. Last year’s winner Texas under Marco Casamento, ended up on fourth position.
QREC Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi presented the trophies to connection of Harab Al Naif.
It was Asherij Cup Day’s second win for Lukasek, who had earlier led Al Sraiya Stud’s Ayaath Alsraiya to a half-length victory in the 1700m Thoroughbred Handicap.
Jockey Szczepan Mazur also completed a double yesterday when he rode Osama Al-Dafea-trained Baker De Saularie to a dominating 5 length victory in 1700m Purebred Arabian Conditions – yesterday’s penultimate race.
Earlier, Mazur kicked off the Asherij Cup Day by guiding Al Jeryan Stud’s AJS Rasheed to a commanding victory in Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (3yo only). The MHK Al Attiyah-trained colt raced to a 3¼ length win over Alberto Sanna-led Al Hammam in the opening race of the day.
The Asherij Cup Day witnessed exciting races.
Meanwhile, jockey Rashid Ali Al Saaq piloted the Abdulaziz Ali A Al Kathiri owned and trained Millions to a half length triumph over Marco Casamento-helmed Whittle Le Woods in a thrilling 1100m run at Thoroughbred Handicap .
Also yesterday, there was no match for Al Mukhadram in the Local Thoroughbred Novice Plate as the Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad Al Thani’s homebred, ridden by Sanna, stormed to a 4½ length victory in the 1200m run.
In Thoroughbred Handicap 0-65 (Class 6), 51 East Racing’s Attache made a winning debut in Qatar, claiming a 3¼ length-win under Jefferson Smith in the 1200m run.
Today’s eight-race card features the Sealine Cup, with six entries in fray for the QR100,000 Thoroughbred Conditions (Class 2) race to take place at 8:45pm. Five-year-old Taxiwala under Faleh Bughanaim won the event last year and the pair will defend its title tonight.
3rd Race Meeting - Asherij Cup
WINNERS (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
Asherij Cup - Local Purebred Arabian Conditions (Fillies & Mares)
Harab Al Naif, Eng. Mohamed Rashid Seif Al Kuwari, Tomas Lukasek
Purebred Arabian Conditions
Baker De Saularie, Osama Al-Dafea, Szczepan Mazur
Thoroughbred Handicap 70-90 (Class 3)
Millions, Abdulaziz Ali Al Kathiri, Rashid Ali Al Marri
Thoroughbred Handicap 55-75 (Class 5)
Ayaath Alsraiya, Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, Tomas Lukasek
Local Thoroughbred Novice Plate
Al Mukhadram, Khaled Mohamad Alahmad, Alberto Sanna
Thoroughbred Handicap 0-65 (Class 6)
Attache, Wasim Al Sahn, Jefferson Smith
Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (3yo only)
AJS Rasheed, M.H.K Al Attiyah, Szczepan Mazur
