The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 16th race meeting in the 2022-23 season calendar of the Al Uqda Racecourse on Thursday, 9th February. The seven-race card day was run on turf. The feature race of the day went the way of owner Abdullah Saeed Abdullah Al Mesnad and trainer Wasim Al Sahn with Ghannam (QA) (AF AlBahar x Bedur ASF) landing the Al Arish Cup. Jockey Alberto Sanna rode the 7YO to hold on gamely and win the 1300m Conditions for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians by a neck from Sha’alan (FR) (Amer). The Al Ghazali Stud-owned and Mohammed Ghazali-trained Sha’alan (FR) (Amer) was the runner under jockey Marco Casamento. The Noora Racing Limited-owned and Mohamed Khaled Elahmed-trained Quepos (FR) (Al Tair) was further one and a quarter lengths behind in third under jockey Soufiane Saadi.
Abdulaziz Jassim Al Boenain, Al Uqda Complex Manager, presented the trophies to the winners.
Brazen Bow
Faleh Suwayed AL Ajami’s Brazen Bow (FR) (Brazen Beau x River Of Silence) kicked off the day, giving trainer Mohammed Ghazali and jockey Marco Casamento a winner, as the 5YO mare won the 1400m Handicap (0-65) for 4YO+ Thoroughbred by a half a length.
Gasham
In a thrilling finish to the second race, a Maiden for 4-6YO Purebred Arabians, Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Gasham (FR) (Al Mourtajez x Dhaan) broke his duck. Under jockey Lukas Delozier, the 4YO colt won the 1400m contest for trainer Eric Lemartinel by a short head from Aria Du Soleil (General).
Al Sareh
Al Anood Stud’s Al Sareh (QA) (Namid x Super Moment) got off the mark in style in the third race. Trained by Alanoud Khalifa Al Malki, the 6YO gelding won the 1400m Maiden for 4-6YO Local Thoroughbreds, as he powered away down the home straight under Carlos Henrique to win by five and a half lengths.
Shivraj
Abdulaziz Ali Al Kathiri’s Shivraj (GB) (Invincible Spirit x Sariska) was a comfortable winner of the fourth race, a1400m Novice for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds, for trainer Zuhair Mohsen and jockey Ronan Thomas, as he stormed away to finish two and a half lengths ahead of his nearest rival, opening his account.
Selous
Trainer Zuhair Mohsen was quickly back in the winners’ enclosure after the fifth race, having recorded quick-fire double, when Khalid Abdulaziz Al Kuwari’s Selous (FR) (Lope De Vega x Bella Qatara), under jockey Soufiane Saadi, clinched victory in the 1400m Handicap (65-85) for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds by a neck from Main Reef (GB) (Pivotal).
Midrass
Ghazwan Racing’s Midrass (FR) (Amer x Melusinne) completed a double in the span of just five days and on the same C&D with a quarter-of-a length win in the sixth race, a 1400m Handicap (0-95) for 5YO+ Purebred Arabians, for trainer Hadi Al Ramzani. It was a quick-fire double for Soufiane Saadi, who was the man onboard.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club