QREC general manager Sami Jassim al-Boenain (third from left) and QREC deputy general manager Tariq Abdulhameed al-Sidiqie (second from right) with the Al Hamla Cup winners at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim

By Chris Hoover/Doha

Ahmed Kobeissi trained Sraab (Salim Golam astride) put in a terrific stretch run to demolish the hopes of her 12 rivals to clinch the Al Hamla Cup, a Local Thoroughbred Conditions race, which featured the first day’s races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.

In a keenly contested race, Haidara shot into the lead and was closely followed by Sraab and Aseer. The trio continued to call the shots as the field entered the business end of the race. In the final furlong, Aseer gained the advantage but was soon challenged by Sraab. The Kobeissi trainee put in a blazing gallop to score gallantly and stamp her superiority. Al Mansoor was three lengths behind in third.

“It was unbelievable finish and she has proved that she is the best. It is good to start the season with a winner. I am looking forward to the season,” trainer Kobeissi told the Gulf Times.

Youisef Bentaher trained Dhalyek Al Naif (Amer-Steppy Du Cayrou) was confidently piloted by Marvin Suerland to win the opening event of the season, the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. Saab set out in front followed by Al Zubara Al Sakab and Istara. As they moved into the straight for the final 400 metres, Zubara Al Sakab began to quicken on the rails with Suerland bidding his time to make his move. Once put into top gear, the Amer progeny came alongside the front runner without much fuss. Inside the last 50 metres, Dhalyek Al Naif stepped up the pace and travelled the better of the two to record his first win in seven starts.

Mubarak Saeed Aljafal al-Naimi owned Maazouz (Darren Williams astride) easily won the Local Bred Pure Arabian Graduation Plate for Maidens. On a start to finish mission, the Mohamed Rashid al-Kuwari schooled Maazouz put in a strong effort in the home run to go clear inside the final 200 metres and win with a measure of comfort from Khalfa and Nahla.

Trainer Jassim al-Ghazali opened his tally for the season with Substantiate putting in a dazzling display while annexing the Thoroughbred Handicap (horses rated 60 to 80) in splendid fashion. With Desert Colours setting the early pace, while Substantiate was raced in a handy second position by jockey Yanis Aouabed. On entering the homestretch, the Ghazali trainee cruised into the lead and stretched away from the rest to win as he pleased.  Late Debate and Hi Holy finished on with a late dash to take the second and third places respectively.

Zohair Moghsen saddled Peter Mac was a pillar to post winner of the Thoroughbred Conditions race for three year olds. Peter Mac with Suerland on board, led from the start and skipped away from Roman Legend who was getting into stride long after the front runner had sewn up the race.  The manner of this victory suggests that Peter Mac is capable of an encore when saddled next.

Jockey Suerland completed a treble for the day when Mohamed Hamad al-Attiya trained Sefaat broke through the maiden ranks with a thrilling victory in the Thoroughbred Conditions, a seven furlong race for three year olds. Captain Cleo led the field into the straight but had no answer when Sefaat pounced on her. The Attiya trainee then stretched away to win by a neck from the late finishing Bajan Beauty, who came with telling strides in the final stages of the race but could only diminish the margin of defeat.

Suerland was delighted with the great start for the season. “It was an amazing start for the season. I was not expecting it. All of us hope for one winner on the opening day but to have three is simply brilliant. I hope to continue in the same way.”

Mohanad al-Yaqout schooled Slimane (O’Shea up) overhauled Al Safi in the virtually the last stride of the race to win the Pure Arabian Conditions race for four year olds. Al Safi had stolen a march and looked set to lamd the spoils until Slimane came with telling strides in the final 50 metres and got past the front runner to take his second win in 13 starts.

In an exciting finish, Abdulaziz Ali al-Qaithri’s Fanunalter (Marco Monteriso) won the Thoroughbred Conditions from Sandbetweenourtoes, which had Frenchman Stephane Ladjadj in the saddle. 

Results:

1st race: Dhalyek Al Naif (Marvin Suerland) 1, Al Zubara Al Sakab 2, Taghta 3, Istara 4. Won by: 1/2, 3/4, 3/4. Time: 1:32.79. Trained by: Yousef Bentaher. Owned by: Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Ahmed al-Thani

2nd race: Maazouz (Darren Williams) 1, Khalfa 2, Nahla 3, Heytham 4. Won by: 1.2, 3/4, 2. Time: 1:44.30. Trained by: Mohamed Rashid al-Kuwari. Owned by: Mubarak Saeed Aljafal al-Naimi

3rd race: Substantiate (Yanis Aouabed) 1, Late Debate 2, Hi Holy 3, Keene 4. Won by: 1 1/2, Hd, 1/2. Time: 1:35.50. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Jasim Mohamed Al Ghazali and Sons

4th race: Peter Mac (Marvin Suerland) 1, Roman Legend 2, Rasheeda 3, Kalahari Kingdom 4. Won by: 5, 3/4, 2 1/2. Time: 1:21.70. Trained by: Zohair Moghsen. Owned by: Hussain Ali Bukanan

5th race: Sefaat (Marvin Suerland) 1, Bajan Beauty 2, Lady Chantily 3, Captain Cleo 4. Won by: Nk, Nk, Hd. Time: 1:22.76. Trained by: Mohamed Hamad al-Attiya. Owned by: Mohamed Abdulla al-Attiya

6th race: Slimane (O’Shea) 1, Al Safi 2, Maksab 3, Seif Ennar 4. Won by: Nk, 5, 6. Time: 1:30.13. Trained by: Mohanad al-Yaqout. Owned by: Al Jeryan Stud

7th race: Fanunalter (Marco Monteriso) 1, Sandbetweenourtoes 2, Hearts Of Stone 3, Elwazeer 4. Won by: Shd, 3/4, 1 1/2. Time:  1:22.01. Owned and trained by: Abdulaziz Ali al-Qaithri

8th race: Sraab (Salim Golam) 1, Aseer 2, Al Mansoor 3, Moaddie 4. Won by: 1/2, 3, 1/2. Time: 1:36.20. Trained by: Ahmed Kobeissi. Owned by: Mohamed Kazim Al Ansari and Sons

BELOW:

Jockey Salim Golam rides Sraab to an exciting win over Aseer in the feature event yesterday.  Right: Trainer Ahmed Kobeissi leads in Sraab (Salim Golam up) after a successful outing in the Al Hamla Cup, which featured the first day’s races at the QREC yesterday.