DOHA: Nashmi yesterday produced an impressive run to claim the Al Wajba Cup for the second time in a row in the 1850m contest at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) here.
Ridden by Gaetan Faucon and trained by A de Mieulle, Nashmi emerged a runaway winner ahead of Julian Smart-trained Hariir and Qabas on a chilly evening at the QREC.
Owned by Umm Qarn, Nashmi broke free of the five-rider bunch at the last bend before deliberately slowing at the end to claim the top prize of QR100,000.
It was Faucon’s second win of the evening following a victory in race two at the QREC where Pier Convertino celebrated a hat-trick of wins.
Earlier, in a tight contest, My Sharona edged past Collect Art to win race eight at the QREC yesterday.
Ridden by J P Guilambert, My Sharona managed to edge Harry Bentley-ridden Collect Art for victory in the 1200m race worth QR80,000 to the winner. In third place was Captain Cleo who had Marvin Suerland in the saddle.
Gerald Avranche produced a winner with Primitorio, claiming the top prize of QR 70,000 against a 12-entry field in race seven.
Bunched together with the rest for most part of the 1400m contest, three-year-old Primitorio raced past Pupil — ridden by Faucon — and Elwazeer — who had Yanis Aoubed in the saddle — to finish in the top spot.
Firdaus put up a feisty show as jockey Convertino celebrated a hat-trick of wins by topping the field in the Thoroughbred Handicap.
Timing his late surge well, Fridaus edged Janoub Nibras and Tortoni to claim the top prize of QR60,000. Janoub Nibras — ridden by Marvin Suerland — finished second while Tortino had to settle for the third spot.
Convertino — within a space of a few minutes — won his second successive race when he combined with Mujidd to nail the 1400m race that had attracted 15 riders.
Four-year-old Mujidd was gallantly guided to the winning post by Convertino who had also nailed race four.
Mujidd won ahead of Rassan — who was ridden by Bentley — and Waad, who had Faucon in the saddle.
In an earlier race, Convertino produced his first win of the day when he stole the show with five-year-old Mutawasal, who topped the 1600m race ahead of Zahrah and Mustabseel.
A popular rider at the QREC, Convertino timed his final surge well to win with a time of 1:39.92 as Zahrah — ridden by Faucon — finished second while Mustabseel — who had Avranbche in the saddle — ended in third spot.
Continuing with his fine run in the first two races of the day, jockey Alberto Sanna won race three with Meghwaar ahead of Rasi and Chanson Du Sole.
Meghwaar finished with a time of 2:07.35 to seal the 1850m race ahead of Rasi — who had Declan Cannon in the saddle — and Chanson Du Sole, who was ridden by Avranche.
In race seven, Majeed thrilled owners Umm Qarn, galloping to the 1600m race win with a time of 1:49.04.
Ridden by Faucon, Majeed finished one-and-half length ahead of Refaal — who had Sanna in the saddle — and Jubail who was ridden by Almotasem Balushi.
Ridden by Sanna, Global Icon kicked off the day with an easy win, beating the six-entry field with a convince run in the 1600m race.
Four-year-old Global Icon topped the race with a time of 1:38.62 to finish ahead of Awattan and Secretly.
Awattan had Yanis Aouabed in the saddle while Gary Carter guided Secretly.
Action resumes on December 30 with riders competing for honours in Qatar Nursey Stakes (F), Doha Oaks and Qatar Derby Day.
THE PENINSULA
