Bentley guides THIRD DIMENSION to Al Khor Cup victory
After going winless last season despite a promising start, Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s THIRD DIMENSON (Dubawi x Round the Cape) made a winning start to the new season, winning a fantastic duel under Harry Bentley for the AL KHOR CUP (Thoroughbred Conditions), the feature on dirt on Wednesday. At the post, Jassim Mohamed Ghazali Jahromi’s ward edged out the Deborah Amanda Clare Mountain-trained SHABBAB (Siyouni x Floride), helmed by Ray Fuentes, by a nose for the Champion Trainer’s
third win on the day. The Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki-schooled TOPSY TURVY (Pivotal x Helter Helter) completed the top three, eight lengths behind, with Jimmy Quinn in the saddle.
Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi’s MUNIRA EYES (Cape Blanco x Desert Sky) was the second winner of the day for trainer Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki after the colt picked up a thrilling victory in the 1100m Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 4) (75-95). This was the third time that Eduardo Pedroza rode the 5yo to victory this calendar year.
Qatari jockey Rashid Ali Al Marri registered his second winner of the evening when AL AYYAR (Domestic Fund x Ishrah), owned and trained by Khalid Nasser Hamad Al Naimi, bounced back from a forgettable run a week ago to register his first win of the season in the 1700m Local Thoroughbred Handicap (85 & below)
The Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki-trained COULD BE (Sakhee x Catch Us) improved over his C&D run last week when Eduardo Pedroza, riding in the colours of Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi, helmed the gelding to a thrilling short head victory in the 1900m Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 4) (80 & below).
Qatari jockey Rashid Ali Al Marri continued with his encouraging form, notching his third victory in the first month of the season, when he guided the Mansoor Mesfer Al Hajri-trained HADDAJ DUKHAN (Majd Al Arab x Gantra El Baraka) to victory in the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (85 & below). Al Marri had five victories over the course of last season and he is looking fine in the saddle this time round.
11 months after a C&D victory, Injaaz Stud’s TOWN CRIER (Acclamation x Miss Dela) registered his fourth career victory as Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi saddled his second straight winner of the evening. The victory in the six-furlong Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 5) (Qatari riders only) (75 & below) was the first of the season for Qatari rider Saleh Salem Al Marri.
Nasser Saeed Al Eida’s CAPTAIN VANCOUVER (George Vancouver x Asiana) made an encouraging start to his stint in Doha two weeks ago with a runner-up spot. A switch to dirt from turf, with Harry Bentley in the saddle, Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi’s ward went one better in the 1900m Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (Class 6) to shed his maiden status.
Dr. Mohammed Rashid Al Marri’s HAMEE (Munjiz x Massamarie) had shown ability in his first two starts finishing midfield over longer trips. Unexposed, since the two runs came over a period of two years, the 5yo did not disappoint, winning the six-furlong Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate by seven and a half lengths under Shakir Al Balushi.
