The connection of Saqr celebrate after the Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari-owned gelding won the feature race, the Al Jumayliyah Cup at the Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday. Pic: Juhaim/QREC
Doha: The Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari-owned Saqr (FR) made it a double on the day for trainer Jassim Ghazali in the feature race, the Al Jumayliyah Cup in Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club's (QREC) 51st Race Meeting at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday.
The 5YO stayed on well, keeping his rivals at bay in the closing stages to record a one and a quarter length win under jockey Alberto Sanna, who got his name on the scoresheet in the 1700m contest for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, crowned the winners.
Earlier, having finished runner-up in her last two starts, Mohammed bin Fahad Al Attiya-owned Al Zain (FR) (Al Mourtajez x Manella) went one better to win the 1200m Maiden for 4-6YO Purebred Arabians to give Ghazali's first win of the day.
The 4YO filly was given a confident ride by Soufiane Saadi and once in the straight, she quickened up smartly and stretched clear to win with three and a half lengths to spare.
Earlier, Al Thumama Racing’s X Force (IRE) regained the winning thread with a dominant victory in the 1200m Conditions for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds. The 6YO produced an impressive effort, clearing away by six lengths and completing a double on the day for the trainer-jockey combination of Hadi Al Ramzani and Faleh Bughanaim.
Prior to that, the Mansoor Mesfer Al Shahwani-owned and trained Shaleesh (QA) produced a superb performance in the 1200m Local Thoroughbred 3YO Open Race. Once in the straight, the bay colt did not look back and bolted seven and a half lengths clear of the field under jockey Meteb Ali Al Saaq, adding a second win to his three-start career.
The 1900m Handicap (0-90) for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians was taken by the Faisal Salem Al Shahwani-owned and Dr Fahad Salman Al Hajri-trained Mountasir (FR) in good style, as the 7YO horse responded nicely to jockey Mohammed Moussa in the last furlong and kicked on to win by two and a half lengths.
The 1900m Handicap (65-85) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds saw Soufiane Saadi ride his second winner of the day, as the Rashid Awajan Al Khayarin-owned and Hamad Al Jehani-trained Toromona (IRE) galloped four lengths clear of the field.
A thrilling finish to the Handicap (0-80) for 4YO+ Local Purebred Arabians saw the Al Meqdam Stud-owned and Abdulrahman Abdulwahed-trained Khaldoun (QA) edge out Nomas Al Shajaa (QA) (AF AlBahar) and Hardan (QA) (Assy) to take the 1900m race by a short head and a head under jockey Trevor Patel.
Carrying the colours of Mohammed Abdulla Al Attiya, Dhi Qar (GB) enhanced his highly promising record with a second straight win in his fourth career start.
Under Faleh Bughanaim, the Hadi Al Ramzani-trained 3YO colt waited until the final furlong and then showed a brilliant turn of foot to come from off the pace and win by five lengths in the 1700m Handicap (0-70) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds.
