Doha: Jockey Ronan Thomas timed his challenge to perfection in the feature race of the 6th Al Uqda meeting as he rode Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Walid (Dahess) to a last-gasp win in a thrilling contest yesterday.
The eight-year-old quickened up well to win the 2,100 metre race by a short head for trainer Alban de Mieulle as the connection bagged the Ras Umm Hasah Cup and QR45,600 in prize money.
QREC Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi presented the trophies to the winners at Al Uqda Racecourse.
Maghamir Des Forges (FR), trained by Gassim Ghazali and ridden by David Allan, finished second in the feature race while De Mieulle-trained Jabir (FR), saddled by Carlos Henrique, came third.
Earlier, Al Jeryan Stud’s Arabic Channel (USA) (English Channel) won the 1,200m Thoroughbred Handicap (0-95). The Mohammed Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah-saddled five-year-old showed a nice turn of foot under Szczepan Mazur to zip clear and win cosily.
Jassim bin Ali Al Attiyah’s The Singer (FR) (Charm Spirit) won the Thoroughbred Handicap (0-85) with Tomas Lukasek in the saddle. The Ibrahim Al Malki-trained five-year-old horse finished powerfully in the closing stages to take the 1,400m run by 2¼ lengths.
Sabhea Awad Ibrahim’s homebred Zelzal (QA) won the 1,400m Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-70) for trainer Mohamed Khaled Elahmed and jockey Lukas Delozier.
Earlier, Abdulla Rashid Al Hajri bagged maiden win in eight runs as he guided the Mohamed Abdulla Al Hajri-owned Moneeaty (QA) to secure the 1,300m Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-75) trophy for trainer Hamad Al Jehani.
Trainer Ghazali also won the opening race of the meeting as Abdullah Mohammed Al Kuwari & Sons’ Hafez (Dark Angel) led home a 1-2 for him. The three-year-old Hafez, under Qais Al Busaidi beat Amenable (USA) – also trained by Ghazali, by 1.25 of a length to win the 2,200m TB Handicap.
6th Al Uqda meeting - Ras Umm Hasah Cup (Turf)
WINNERS
Ras Umm Hasah Cup - Purebred Arabian Conditions (4yo and up)
Horse: Al Walid (FR), Trainer: Alban Elie De Mieulle, Jockey: Ronan Thomas
Thoroughbred Handicap
(Class 3)
Arabic Channel (USA), M.H.K
Al Attiyah, Szczepan Mazur
Thoroughbred Handicap
(Class 4)
The Singer (FR), Ibrahim Saeed
Al Malki, Tomas Lukasek
Local Thoroughbred Handicap
Zelzal (QA), Mohamed Khaled Elahmed, Lukas Delozier
Purebred Arabian Handicap (Qatari Riders only)
Moneeaty (QA), Hamad Al Jehani, Abdulla Rashid Al Hajri
Thoroughbred Handicap
(Class 5)
Hafez (IRE), Gassim Ghazali, Qais
Al Busaidi
