QREC general manager Sami Jassim al-Boenain (centre) and QREC deputy general manager Tariq Abdulhameed al-Sidiqie (second from right) are seen with the winners of the Lemail Cup, which featured the races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim

By Chris Hoover/Doha

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani owned Harran (Burning Sand-Aziza D’Arocco) plunged into an all out offensive in the final furlong and launched a fiery gallop to outrun AJS Qahir and score a comfortable victory in the Lemail Cup, the feature event of the races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. The Julian Smart trained Harran was brilliantly ridden by jockey Richard Mullen.
AJS Qahir led them all the way into the straight and Harran was improving position all along the turn. After entering the straight, AJS Qahir continued to call the shots. Meanwhile, Mullen showed the daylight to Harran, who came charging at the front runner. Once put into top gear, Harran skipped away and won in fine style. In an unfortunate incident during the race, Hassan al-Matwi’s La Hoor collapsed but soon recovered much to the relief of his supporters. Jockey Balush also escaped unhurt in the incident.
 “It was a little bit unfortunate with the accident in the race. But to be honest it would not have mattered because I was confident that Harran would have a big say in the race. Harran has been in good form this year who has got stronger. I am happy with him right now and looking for the future with Harran. He will be most probably be targeted in the Qatar International race.  He has beaten some of the best sprinters in the country and I am glad to see him back in form. He has one more big race in him and we are looking ahead to it,” a delighted Smart told the Gulf Times.
Jockey Tadgh O’Shea rode a marvellous race to guide Mohanad al-Yaqout trained Aseer Singspiet-Like Blazes) to a splendid victory in the Dukhan Cup, a local Thoroughbred Conditions race, which was the other added attraction of the day. The perseverance of O’Shea enabled Aseer to thwart the all out effort of Sraab.
Aseer settled quickly in midfield as One Cool Bex set the pace. Entering the home stretch, One Cool Bex was out of steam soon and jockey o’Shea was quick to get Aseer alongside. Approaching the distance post the Mohanad trainee gained the initiative even as Sraab came along to dispute for the lead. The duo were engaged in a fierce battle for supremacy in the final 200 metres. Though Golam did his best with Sraab, he was unable to get past the eventual winner.

‘confident of good show’
“This was the second time that Aseer was running this season. Though he was unfit in his previous start, Aseer went down narrowly to Sraab, he was up to the task today. I had worked hard with him and was confident of a good show. He did not disappoint us today. Jockey O’Shea also rode him well to win this race,” trainer Yaqout explained.
Jockey O’Shea was thrilled with the victory of Aseer. “He is a very tough horse who enjoys a battle. He stuck his head out when it was needed and I am very thrilled with this win. I have had four winners with Aseer and I am glad that I had the opportunity to ride such a fantastic horse.”
Ahmed Kobeissi schooled TM Tasha Tiki (Burning Sand-Lanatiki) lived up to the promise of her previous run and scored her maiden victory in the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate, run over six furlongs. The Burning Sand progeny got straight down to business as she led the field from the word ‘go’ and made every post a winning one to record her first win in 14 starts. Though Saif Brooq came up with a spirited bid in the dying stages of the race, jockey Salim Golam rode out Tasha Tiki vigorously to win by a head. Rassan also impressed while finishing with a late dash to take the third place.
Mohammed Hussain trained Absher was a runaway winner of the Local Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 0 to 60. The Dhafi al-Ardhi al-Marri owned Absher was quickly off the blocks and set his own pace before skipping away from his nine rivals to win by a widening margin of five lengths. Al Wasmiya chased the winner all the way to finish second ahead of Okay. Tha manner of this victory suggests that Absher is capable of a similar performance when saddled next.
Jassim al-Ghazali saddled Rock Up scored a resounding victory in the Thoroughbred Graduation Plate in a start to finish mission. Jockey Guillambert had no trouble getting Rock Up going at the start and they shot into the lead and never looked back. It was Rock Up all the way and once he turned for home he galloped straight as an arrow, bounding forward showing fine acceleration and eventually outclassing his opponents altogether, clocking one minute 11.56 seconds for the 1,200 metres trip
Maazouz (Alberto Senna astride) trained by Majid Safedeen rose to the occasion in a splendid manner to clinch the Pure Arabian Graduation Plate with a pillar to post victory. Taking over the running soon after the start, Maazouz found a good rhythm going and looked completely in command. The Safedeen trainee quickly amassed a winning lead and looked the winner long way from home and galloped on majestically to win by a six lengths. Nomaas was a faraway second ahead of Ladys Sandman.
Abduljabar Ali trained Nile Knight recorded a facile win in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 50 to 50. Under the able riding of Marco Monteriso, Nile Knight moved strongly from the third position at the bend to gather speed with minimum of fuss to win by over a length from Statesmanship and Protect.
Jockey Harry Bentley had to use all the resources at his command to contain the challenge of Elkhart while steering Late Debate to a thrilling victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 85 to 105. It was a fascinating duel between Late Debate and Elkhart in the final stages of the race. After Bentley and Late Debate had established an useful lead, Monteriso brought the Elkhart into contention with a brilliant run, while Bentley was unrelenting on the eventual winner. With the duo fighting each inch of the ground, it was Late Debate that got stronger at the finish to win by a head. Mefraas seven lenghths behind in third.