QREC chairman HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al-Thani (third from left) presents a portrait to winning owner Hassal Ali Abdulmalik after Right To Dream had won the Barzan Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. QREC vice-chairman Abdulaziz al-Malki (fourth from right) and QREC general manager Sami Jassim al-Boenain (second from right) are also seen. PICTURES: Juhaim

By Chris Hoover/Doha

Taraf (Burning Sand-Geethabah) came up with a stunning performance as she trounced her 13 rivals, to lift the Local Bred Pure Arabian Guineas for four year olds at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. Sporting the colours of Al Shahania Stud, the Burning Sand progeny came from the rear with a smooth run and when asked to accelerate, the Julian Smart trainee sported a pair of wings and went sailing clear to win by four lengths. She looks to be a classic type and it would be interesting to see her progress into the top league this season. Jockey Barry Doyle was astride the winner.
Radwah (Amer-Nisaee), owned by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani and trained by Smart, maintained her unbeaten record, while annexing the Pure Arabian Guineas in taking style. The Smart trainee displayed raw speed, superlative temperament, and abundant potential en route to a brilliant victory. Racing upfront as Bambino Du Pouy set a scorching pace, jockey Richard Mullen and Radwah timed their challenge to a nicety as the duo kicked clear at the 100 metres marker to win by nearly two lengths.
Trainer Smart had his third winner for the day, when Aden fought out a gruelling tussle with stable mate Al Majh’hoor before prevailing in the Pure Arabian Guineas. Abhar finished third to give its trainer the top three finishes in the 1,600 metres contest.
Trainer Smart was elated with the success and revealed his plans for Taraf, who is likely to compete in the Presidents Cup in Abu Dhabi and later in the Kahayla Classic in Dubai. “It is a very good return for me to Doha as all the three winners today were in Europe and to come back and win here is simply superb. I am very impressed with Taraf and she has always been a filly that I have held in high regard. She has matured now and was unlucky at Longchamp in October. It is very comforting to see her progress and the further the distance she goes, Taraf will be much better. She will definitely be in the line up for the local bred classics and we have high hopes on her,” trainer Smart told the Gulf Times.
“We will target Taraf in the President’s Cup in Abu Dhabi and later in the Kahayla Classic in Dubai. We did the same with Djainka Des Forges the previous year and we will do the same with this talented filly. She has plenty of options but I would love to take her to the Emirates.”
Ibrahim al-Malki trained Right To Dream (Gary Carter astride) came with a ground devouring run in the final stages of the race and went past the front runners in virtually the last stride of the race to win the Barzan Cup, a mile Group III race for Thoroughbreds.
Mohanad al-Yaqout trained AJS Intifidah (O’Shea up) thwarted a serious challenge to beat Jenjal and Sendeed Al Galayel in a close finish in the Local Bred Pure Arabian Guineas. AJS Intifidah shot into the lead at the top of the straight and later held on gamely to win the coveted event, run over six furlongs.
Jassim al-Ghazali schooled Maxentius was ridden out by jockey Harry Bentley to win the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 55 to 75 and record his first win of the season. Maxentius raced in a handy second till entering the straight and started to improve inside the last 300 metres. Pace maker, The Smart One was quickly passed by the Ghazali trainee, who then stretched away to win quite comfortably and clinch his career win in 11 starts. Rio Grande and Enjoy Today finished on strongly in the end to take the third and fourth places respectively.
The trainer and jockey combination of Ghazali and Bentley went on to record a back to back double through Al Hareth’s success in the Local Thoroughbred Guineas, run over seven furlongs. With Footprintinthesand setting the pace, Bentley and Al Hareth settled in the box seat, right behind the front runner.
As the field turned for home, Al Hareth was quick to take the initiative and sped away to win with plenty in hand. Footprintinthesand stayed on to take the runner-up berth ahead of Umm Qarn’s Yasmeen.
Trainer Ghazali continued his dominance while leading in Roman Legend (Roman Emperor-Talking Liberties), who won the Thoroughbred Guineas with a brilliant stretch run to overhaul Peter Mac in the shadow of the winning post. Coming from way off the pace, Gerald Avranche brought the Roman Emperor progeny with a smooth run on the outside and went past the others without much fuss.
With a couple of backhanders from Avranche, Roman Legend came with a ground devouring run and went past the front runner to win by over a length. Incidentally, in his previous outing, Roman Legend had finished five behind Peter Mac.
Mohammed Hussain saddled Lions Park sizzled with a dominating performance that left the field stranded in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. Though it took nine starts to shed his maiden status, Lions Park won without causing any anxiety with jockey Salim Golam running away with the race long way from home. Global Icon came from way behind to pip Katja for second place.