The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 22nd race meeting in the 2022-23 season at the Al Rayyan Racecourse turf track on Thursday, 22nd December. The day rounded off with the feature of the nine-race card when trainer Hadi Al Ramzani and jockey Ebrahim Nader completed their double on the day, having won the third race earlier, as the Mohammed Nasser Al Naimi-owned Askar (FR) (Munjiz x Abigaille) took the day’s feature race, the Muaither Cup. The seven-year-old gelding stretched clear of his rivals to win the 1850m Handicap (75-95) for 3YO+ Purebred Arabians by two and a half lengths. The H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani-owned and Rudy Nerbonne-trained Essa (FR) (Assy) was the runner-up under jockey Hugo Besnier. The Al Ghazali Stud-owned and Gassim Ghazali-trained Sayaad (FR) (Dahess) finished further one and a quarter lengths behind in third under jockey Marco Casamento.
QREC Racing Manager, Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, presented the trophies to the winners.
Sowardmanchester
It was trainer Hamad Ateeq Al Marri and jockey Tomas Lukasek who kicked off the proceedings of the meeting, teaming up with the Brooq Stud-owned Sowardmanchester (GB) (Holy Roman Emperor x Queens Harbour) to taste victory for the first time at fifth time of asking as he won the 1600m Maiden for 2YO Thoroughbreds by a and three quarter lengths.
Moorawqe
Jockey Tomas Lukasek was soon back in the Winner’s Enclosure with a quick-fire double, after the second race, as he rode the Mohammed Khamis Eisa Al Kaabi-owned and trained Moorawqe (QA) (Munjiz x Gidwa) to shed his maiden tag in his fifth career start, winning the 1600m Maiden for 3-6YO Local Purebred Arabians by a length.
Al Khor Surprise
Trainer Hadi Al Ramzani saddled the winner of the third race in the card, a 1600m Novice for 3YO+ Local Thoroughbreds, for owners Mohammed Hamad Al Hajri & Sons with Al Khor Surprise (QA) (Abide With Me x Arabian Art), ridden by Ebrahim Nader, edging out Del Piero (QA) (Atlantic Air) by a neck, following a very thrilling finish.
Emperor Maximus
The Al Rufaa Racing-owned Emperor Maximus (FR) (Holy Roman Emperor x Lapland) got off the mark with a comfortable one and three quarter length win in the fourth race, a 2200m Handicap (0-75) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds, for trainer Gassim Ghazali and jockey Soufiane Saadi.
Gallos De Faust
There was a thrilling finish, the second on the dayh, to the 1600m Handicap (60-80) for 3YO+ Purebred Arabians as the Hassan Bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi-owned and trained Gallos De Faust (FR) (Mared Al Sahra x Tsarine Du Paon) got the verdict, in the fifth race, by a neck under jockey Carlos Henrique ahead of Tnbek (FR) (Mister Ginoux).
Flaming Lord
Trainer Gassim Ghazali and the colours of Al Rufaa Racing were in the Winner’s Enclosure for the second time on the day as Flaming Lord (GB) (Zarak x Elusive Flame) was rewarded for last six straight placed finishes with a two-length victory, under jockey Marco Casamento, in the sixth race, a 1600m Handicap (60-80) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds.
Sky Blue
In the seventh race, Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi’s homebred Sky Blue (QA) (Zoffany x Blur) went one better than his previous start, winning the 1600m Handicap (65-85) for 3YO+ Local Thoroughbreds by one and a half lengths for trainer Bader Al Balushi. Soufiane Saadi chalked up his double on the day as he was the man in the saddle.
Band Width
In the penultimate race in the card and on his second start in Qatar, having finished placed in the first, Band Width (IRE) (Gutaifan x Party Whip), in the colours of Wathnan Racing, won the 1600m Handicap (70-90) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds cosily by two lengths for trainer Alban de Mieulle and under jockey Ronan Thomas.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club