DOHA: Julian Smart-trained Harran produced a neat run to help jockey R Mullen bagged the Lemail Cup in the feature race at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) yesterday.
Harran tooped the 1,200m race ahead of AJS Qahir - ridden by P Convertino - with a time of 1:17.99 to put a huge smile on trainer Smart’s face.
Thunder Struck - with Gaeten Faucon in the saddle - finished the race in two and half lengths behind Harran.
“I told Richard that he is in really, really good form this year,” Smart said. “He’s actually filled out and is really stronger. I was very confident (about the win) though I am never too confident before the races,” Smart added.
“I am happy right now. I think those were the best sprinters in the country,” Smart said of the field. “So happy he’s back in a bit of form,” Smart said.
Jockey T O’Shea yesterday thrilled club house fans at QREC when he rode Aseer to win with just a neck’s length in the hotly-contested Dukhan Cup.
Aseer, who had lost the lead for a short while in the 1,900m race, pipped Sraab - ridden by S Golam - in dramatic fashion. Owned by M Al Yaqout, Aseer picked up pace after the final bend.
Gathering momentum with 400m to go, Aseer roared to win with a time of 2:04.40. The third place went to Qadir which was ridden by Marvin Suerland.
“He did it when it was needed,” O’Shea said after the race. “I am happy we pulled off a great win against good riders.”
Owner Yaqout said: “It was not easy to ride this one. We are glad to see win this time against Sraab. I am thrilled with this win.”
Late Debate brought owner Jassim Ghazali his second win of the evening as jockey Harry Bentley powered to victory in race six.
After shadowing second-placed Elkhart for most of the 1,900m race, Late Debate - ridden by Bentley - finished a head’s length ahead to claim honours in the eight-horse race. Late Debate clocked a time 2:01.31.
Earlier, Jassim Ghazali-owned Rock Up won race three.
In third place was Mefraas who had Suerland in the saddle.
In race five, jockey Marco Monteriso produced a great chase with Nile Knight to beat race leader Bentley - riding Statesmanship - to seal win a superb flourish.
Trailing Statesmanship for most part of the race, Nile Knight kicked up a storm around 40 yards from the finish line for his win posted in 1:55.16.
In third place was Protect ridden by jockey Yanis Aoubed.
In race four, jockey Alberto Sanna hit the front with Maazouz and never looked back, winning the 1,200m race with ease.
Nomaas, ridden by Gary Carter, finished second while the third place was secured by Lady’s Sandman which had jockey Golam in the saddle.
Popular owner Ghazali got on the winner’s chart in race three when jockey J Guillambert guided Rock Up to a comfortable victory.
In the 1,200m race, Rock Up looked rarely troubled as he eased past Bern Me Baby ridden by Marvin Suerland.
In third place was The Smart One who had Monteriso in the saddle.
In race two, jockey Carter ran a convincing race, winning the battle with 6-7 lengths over 1,200m.
Carter, who was riding Absher, won with a time of 1:12.76. Al Wasmiya, ridden by Sanna, finished in second spot.
Okay, ridden by Mullen, secured the third spot in the dirt track race. Earlier, the day’s proceedings were kicked off with a hard-fought win by Tasha Tiki ridden by Golam.
Tasha Tiki finished the 1,200m race ahead of Saif Brooq with Monteriso in the saddle. In third place was Rassan ridden by Bentley.
Today, the feature race includes the Al Wakra Cup offering a pool prize of QR100,000.
THE PENINSULA
