Mohamed Saad

Trainer Hamad Al-Jehani and jockey Szczepan Mazur each completed a treble on the card of the race meeting conducted on dirt at QREC Al Rayyan Racecourse on Wednesday, 24th April 2024, on the penultimate day of the 2023/24 racing season with the Saif Rashid Saif Al Khayarin-owned Local Law (GB) )Dubawi x Lady Marian) taking victory in the day’s feature, the Al Jumayliyah Cup, a 1700m Class 2 contest for three-year-old and older Thoroughbreds. The six-year-old bay gelding raced prominently by the rail, tracking the leaders throughout, and showed an impressive turn of foot in the final 200m to run down the long-time leaders, drawing two lengths clear at the line. It was the Sheikh Khalid bin Jassim bin Thani Al- Thani-owned and Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki-trained Massam (GB) (Dubawi) who took the lead with a fast strong pace throughout under jockey Alberto Sanna. He was chased closely all the way by the Hussain Abdulatif Hussain Z AL-Emadi-owned and Bader Al Balushi-trained Jewel House (GB) (Dubawi), who was ridden by jockey Tomas Lukasek. Until the final 200m, everyone was almost sure that either of Massam or Jewel House would be the winner, but Local Law came with that late sweep to take the lead. The two other rivals were not able to match him in the final strides and had to battle it out for the minor honours and it was Jewel House, who did it crossing the line only a short head in front of the long-time leader Massam, who had to settle for third. Abdulaziz Jassim Al Boenain, Al Uqda Complex Manager, crowned the winners.

Roqayya

The Mohamed Rashid A Al-Marri-owned Roqayya (QA) (Alam Al Khalediah x Al Jalila) broke her maiden tag with an easy victory in the first division of the 1200m Class 6 Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, for four-to-six-year-olds, for trainer Mohamed Khaled Elahmed to kick off the season’s final week’s racing. Under a front-running ride from jockey Saleh Salem Al-Marri, the four-year-old grey filly led from the start along with other runners, but once in the home straight, she stretched clear of the field to win by five and a half lengths, leaving her rivals behind to battle out for the minor honours. The battle for the second place was a tough one and, eventually, it was the Mohammed Nawaf M N Al-Rayes-owned Taya (FR) (Dahess) (Clairvoyant), who managed to take the runner-position for trainer Mohammed Ghazali and jockey Marco Casamento, as the five-year-old mare crossed the finish line only a nose ahead of the Nasser Mohammed Kazim Al Ansari-owned and Ahmed Kobeissi-trained AA Kindled Speed (US) (Majd Al Arab), who was ridden by jockey Salman Fahad Al-Hajri.

Pherenikos

The Khalid Nawaf M A Al-Maadheed-owned Pherenikos (IRE) (Shamardal x First Victory) was the victor in the Class 6 Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, for three-to-six year olds, for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani. The four-year-old bay gelding maintained a good position midfield and jockey Soufiane Saadi was keen to keep him close to the leading pack. As they passed the final bend, the pair started to make their move and as Pherenikos held on gamely from the the Al Ghazali Stud-owned and Nasser Ghazali-trained Timbuktoo (GB) (Oasis Dream), who was ridden by jockey Marco Casamento. The son of Shamardal won the 1700m race by just a head to shed his maiden tag. The Saleh Saed R A Al-Hajri-owned and Mubarak Zayed Al Awami-trained Almutawakel (GB) (Acclamation) completed the frame in third as he was a further half a length behind under jockeyAl Moatasem Al Balushi.

Deimos

In the 1700m Class 5 Thoroughbred Handicap for three-year-olds and older rated (50-70), the Al Rufaa Racing-owned Deimos (IRE) (Night Of Thunder x Step Sequence) entered the winners enclosure for the second time in six starts this season. Jockey Faleh Bughanaim made sure the three-year-old chestnut colt raced at the front of the field. However, it was not an easy lead until the final bend as Mohammed Ghazali’s trainee was chased closely all the way by Axiome (FR) (Dubawi) and at that point it seemed that the eventual winner would be one of these two as they were well ahead of the field behind. Still, things changed in the home straight with several runners behind closing the gap between them and the two leaders. Near the 300m mark, Deimos accelerated to increase the gap between him and Axiome in a matter of a couple of second to establish a wide margin and went on to eventually going four and a half lengths clear at the line. In the meantime, the the Khalid Abdulaziz A A Al- Kuwari-owned and trained closed under jockey Al Moatasem Al Balushi to take the second place. The long-time challenger and chaser, Axiome, owned by Al Ghazali Stud and trained by Gassim Ghazali, faded in the final strieds and had to settle in third as he was further two lengths behind under jockey Marco Casamento.

Khaled Al Shahania

The course of race 4 was to some extent similar to that of the previous race with Khaled Al Shahania (QA) (Assy x Haleda) and Kanz Al Adeed (QA) (AF AlBahar) locked up in a battle since the start of the 1700m Local Purebred Arabian Handicap for four-year-olds and older rated (0-70) and up to the final 200m, as Khaled Al Shahania showed impressive turn of foot. In a couple of strides, the son of Assy, under jockey Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, made a massive sweep to win the race by impressive five lengths for owner Nasser Mohammed Kazim Al Ansari and trainer Ahmed Kobeissi. The Khalid Ali A Al-Obaidli-owned and Abdulrahman Abdulwahed-owned Kanz Al Adeed (QA) continued to finish second under jockey Khadija Abdulwahed. The Three Quarter Racing-owned and Mohammed Ghazali-trained Nafees Al Shahania (QA) (Harran ASF) finished further two and a quarter lengths behind in third under jockey Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi

Chrome

There was a return to the narrow winning margins in the Class 4 Purebred Arabian Handicap for four-year-olds and older rated (60-80). The 1700m race saw an exciting finish as the Faisal Mohammed M A Al-Naeimi-owned and Hadi Al Ramzani-trained Chrome (QA) (Pharfadet x Thekrayaat) came with a late run to defeat Hassan Bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi-owned and Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi-trained Matwi Al Shajah (FR) (Al Mourtajez) by just a neck. Ridden by Alberto Sanna, Chrome timed his challenge perfectly, coming with a rattle in the final furlong to just get up in the shadow of the post. The long-time leader who finished second was ridden by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi. The Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalid Bin Nasser Al Thani-owned and Gassim Ghazali-trained Hazm Al Sulaimi (QA) (T M Fred Texas) was further three and a half lengths behind in third under jockey Marco Casamento.

Imaginary World

In the 1900m Class 4 Thoroughbred Handicap for four-year-olds and older rated (65-85), the Al Hajaj Stud, trainer Ahmed Al Jehani and jockey Lukas Delozier were the eventual winners with Imaginary World (IRE) (Shamardal x Galactic Heroine), who prevailed in a thrilling race where the first two home were separated by a short head. Both the eventual winner and the eventual runner up, Al Motasim (GB) (Lope De Vega), led throughout and a fierce battle ensued between them up to the finish line, but Imaginary World had more give in the final strides and got the better of the tussle, winning by a short head. The runner-up is owned by Al Rufaa Racing and trained by Gassim Ghazali and was ridden by Marco Casamento. The Hamed Ali H A Al-Mulla-owned and Ahmed Al Jehani-trianed One Nation (GB) (Dubawi) finished further two and a quarter lengths behind in third under jockeyArnaud De Lepine.

Malikah

Carrying the colours of Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed F N Al-Thani, the Mohammed Salama Ashour displayed a blinding turn of foot in the final stages of the 1900m Purebred Arabian Handicap for four-year-olds and older rated (70-90) to put the race to bed and win by four lengths with jockey Jefferson Smith. As was the case in the opener of the day, the winner left his rivals behind to battle out for the minor honours. In a fierce battle for the second position, the the Osama Omer E Al-Dafea-owned and trained Baker De Saularie (FR) (Kerbella) passed the finish line first under jockey Al Moatasem Al Balushi only a short head in front of the Khalifa Bin Sheail KH J Al Kuwari-owned and Zuhair Mohsen-trained Hidalgo Du Croate (FR) (Al Mamun Monlau).

X Force

Jockey Szczepan Mazur timed his challenge to perfection in the 1200m Class 2 Thoroughbred Conditions three-year-olds and older as the Al Thumama Racing-owned X Force (IRE) (Bungle Inthejungle x Nafa) came fast and late to pip the Mohammed Abdulhadi S Al-Hajri-owned and Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki-trained Selected (IRE) (Mehmas), who was ridden by Tomas Lukasek. Trained by Mohammed Hussain Afroz, the seven-year-old winner quickened up well to scythe through the field and get up in the final strides by just a short head. The Triple Two Racing-owned and Gassim Ghazali-trained Fifty Grand Slater (IRE) (Kodiac) finished third as he was further two and a half lengths behind under jockey Marco Casamento.

Texas Storm CS

Noora Racing Limited’s Texas Storm CS (USA) (T M Fred Texas x Morgan CS) confirmed his promising start with a very comfortable win in the division 2 of the 1200m Class 6 Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, for four-to-six-year-olds. The five-year-old ran only twice before and finished fourth and second respectively and came this time to land the spoils with a powerful performance that enabled him to dominate the race. In doing so, he completed a double on the day for his trainer Hamad Al-Jehani and a quick-fire double for jockey Szczepan Mazur. The Ali Saeed Ali A Al Naimi-owned and Mohammed Ghazali-trained Belgaro (FR) (AF AlBahar) finished second under jockey Faleh Bughanaim. The Saeed Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki-owned and Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki-trained Jawad HCM (IT) (Nashmi) finished a far third as well as he was further six lengths behind under jockey Maikon De Souza.