Dubawi Spectre captures Al Jassasiya Cup in thrilling finish
Doha – Mdmar – Mohamed Saad
Photos by Juhim
The Al Jassasiya Cup race meeting was held at Al Rayyan Racecourse on dirt on Wednesday, 1 April and featured a seven-race programme highlighted by competitive finishes and strong performances across the card. Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the Al Jassasiya Cup.
Across the seven races, the winners in order were Rumooz breaking her maiden in convincing fashion, Al Qaws holding on after a late scare, Star One regaining the winning thread, Gulf Legend powering clear to confirm his good form, Tafawok ending a long wait with a decisive success, Future Man swooping late to deny the leader and Dubawi Spectre edging a thrilling finish to land the Al Jassasiya Cup.
Dubawi Spectre lands Al Jassasiya Cup in photo finish
Dubawi Spectre (Dubawi x Spectre) won the day’s feature, the Al Jassasiya Cup, a Thoroughbred Handicap (80–100) over 1900m (Class 2) for four-year-olds and upwards, featuring a field of 14. The six-year-old bay gelding, in the colours of HE Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud, from the Gassim Al Ghazali stable and with Marco Casamento at the reins, recorded a second consecutive victory and a third from six starts this campaign, getting the verdict by a nose after being held up for much of the journey before finishing strongly, completing a notable one-two for the yard while also securing a treble on the day for both trainer and jockey.
Studio City (Cotai Glory) set the early pace before National Park (Dubawi) and Nuvolari (Time Test) moved up to contest the lead, with National Park eventually taking control. The order at the front remained largely unchanged through the middle stages and into the straight, with Studio City, Nuvolari and Thor’s Hammer (Night Of Thunder) all in close attendance. Passing the 200m marker, Studio City briefly struck the front, but Dubawi Spectre, who had been making steady progress from off the pace, unleashed a powerful late surge to hit the lead. He was immediately joined by stablemate Thor’s Hammer, and the pair engaged in a fierce duel to the line. The finish required a photo, with Dubawi Spectre just getting his nose down in time to deny Thor’s Hammer, who represents Al Rufaa Racing and is also prepared by Gassim Al Ghazali, with Salem Alajmi in the saddle. Studio City, racing for Faleh Suwayed Al Ajami, from the Mohammed Al Ghazali yard and partnered by Faleh Bughenaim, finished third, a length behind the runner-up.
Rumooz breaks through in convincing style
Rumooz (Danadana x Spring Fashion) took the opener, a Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate over 1700m (Class 6) for four- to seven-year-olds, with nine runners going to post. The four-year-old chestnut filly, representing Alghazali Motors Racing and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali with Soufiane Saadi in the saddle, opened her account on her eighth career start, having finished third on her previous three outings on both turf and dirt, drawing clear to score by two and a half lengths.
Settled towards the rear after the start, Rumooz travelled comfortably as Bin Narain (Vedevani) set the early pace ahead of Shaqrah (Heshem), Barqeyya (Vedevani) and Thaye (New Bay). Passing the first bend, Roudha (Footstepsinthesand) improved into second ahead of Shaqrah while Rumooz began to make steady headway into midfield. Approaching the final turn, Bin Narain continued to dictate from Roudha, with Thaye moving into third as the race began to develop. On straightening for home, Shaqrah improved again to take the lead from the long-time leader while Rumooz, quickening smartly, moved into third and then second as she closed rapidly on the front rank. Passing the 200m marker, Rumooz sustained her surge to strike the front and quickly put daylight between herself and her rivals, powering clear for a comfortable success. Bon Nuit (Ponfeigh), racing for Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, with Debbie Mountain responsible for training and Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik aboard, finished strongly from the rear to take second, six lengths ahead of Thaye, who kept on for Nasser Owaida Salem Al Hajri, under the guidance of Owaida Salem Al Hajri, with Salem Alajmi in the saddle.
Al Qaws holds on after late scare
Al Qaws (Dahess x Istishaara) took Race 2, the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (0–65) over 1900m for four-year-olds and upwards, with fourteen declared runners. The six-year-old grey gelding, carrying the colours of Al Ghazali Stud, prepared by Gassim Al Ghazali and guided by Marco Casamento, doubled his tally following his first victory in January, holding on by half a length.
Al Qaws was prominent early, briefly leading before easing into second and third as Khaeer Al Shahania (Harran) and Egaab Zakhir (La Hoor) exchanged the lead through the opening and middle stages in a race marked by constant positional changes. Passing the second bend and heading towards the third, AJS Haizum (AF AlBahar) advanced from fourth to take control ahead of Khaeer Al Shahania and Egaab Zakhir, with Al Qaws settling back in midfield. Approaching the home turn, Metrash (Pharfadet) improved into third while Al Qaws began to build momentum. Rounding the bend, Al Qaws quickened sharply to take the lead and, once in the straight, stretched clear, opening up what appeared a decisive advantage approaching the 200m marker. However, the race took a dramatic turn in the closing stages as Mared Al Zaeem (Mared Al Sahra), coming from off the pace, produced a dazzling late surge. Rapidly closing the gap, he threatened to overhaul the leader and had the effort come earlier or the line been further away, the outcome may well have been different, particularly as Al Qaws was eased slightly in the final strides. Al Qaws, though, held on to secure victory. Mared Al Zaeem, representing Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik and trained by Ahmed Kobeissi, finished second under Al Moatasem Al Balushi, five lengths ahead of Mukabr (Asraa Min Albarq), who stayed on strongly from the rear to take third place by a nose for Al Rakaben Stud, trained by Dr. Fahad Salman Al-Hajri, with Salman Fahad Al-Hajri aboard.
Star One regains winning thread
Star One (Alsaker x Sri Lanka) won Race 3, the Purebred Arabian Handicap (55–75) over 1900m (Class 5) for four-year-olds and upwards, featuring a field of 14. The five-year-old grey gelding, carrying the colours of Al Meqdam Racing, trained by Maayouf bin Hashim Al-Shamari with Salman Fahad Al-Hajri aboard, returned to winning ways after two recent placed efforts, recording the second success of his career by half a length.
Held up towards the rear through the early and middle stages, Star One travelled comfortably as Prince D’ossau (Al Tair) and Billythekid Pompadour (Al Mamun Monlau) disputed the early lead before Hidalgo Du Croate (Al Mamun Monlau) moved forward to take control passing the first bend. Passing the 800m marker, Prince D’ossau regained the lead, with Hidalgo Du Croate alongside him, the pair racing head to head ahead of Yaqoob (Al Mourtajez) as the field rounded the home turn. On straightening for home, the leaders remained closely grouped, with Billythekid Pompadour moving into contention while Star One and Thouab Al Shahania (Assy) began to emerge from off the pace. Inside the final 300m, the race opened up with several runners in contention. Star One, however, produced the strongest finish, digging deep to take the lead inside the final 100m. Billythekid Pompadour chased hard, but could not reel him in, with Star One holding on gamely to the line. Billythekid Pompadour, representing Sharq Stud and trained by Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti, finished second with Jefferson Smith in the saddle, one and three-quarter lengths ahead of Thouab Al Shahania, who stayed on best of the rest for Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani, under the care of Hamad Al-Jehani and ridden by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi.
Gulf Legend powers clear to confirm fine form
Gulf Legend (Dubawi x Knyazhna) won Race 4, the Thoroughbred Handicap (65–85) over 2500m (Class 4) for four-year-olds and upwards, featuring a field of 13. The five-year-old bay gelding, in the silks of Sheikh Abdul Rahman Rashid Al-Thani, prepared by Gassim Al Ghazali and with Marco Casamento at the reins, continued his excellent recent run, adding a second win this season following a victory and a runner-up effort in February, scoring by three and a half lengths while completing a double on the day for both trainer and jockey.
Settled in midfield after the start, Gulf Legend travelled comfortably as Necessitate (Zoffany) dictated the pace from the outset and continued to lead through the early and middle stages. Byblos (Frankel) tracked him closely, with Leicester Square (Masar), Due To Dance (Due Diligence) and Thunder Valley (Night of Thunder) all positioned just behind in a compact chasing group. On straightening for home, Byblos moved up to take the lead while Gulf Legend began to emerge from off the pace, advancing into second ahead of Super Mo (Uncle Mo), who was also making ground from the rear. Passing the 300m marker, Gulf Legend applied pressure and quickly asserted, taking control with authority. Travelling strongly, he increased his momentum inside the final 100m and pulled clear in decisive fashion to seal a comfortable success. Byblos, racing for Al Hedfa Stud and handled by Bader Al Balushi, stayed on under Soufiane Saadi to take second, six and a quarter lengths ahead of Super Mo, who, trained by Wasim Al Sahn and with Pierre Charles Boudot doing the steering, kept on to complete the placings for 51 East Racing.
Tafawok powers clear to end long wait
Tafawok (Shamalgan x Tribale) won Race 5, the Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0–60) over 1200m (Class 4) for three-year-olds and upwards, featuring a field of nine. The seven-year-old bay horse, in the colours of Injaaz Stud, trained by Jihad El Ahmad and guided by Szczepan Mazur, struck for the first time in 12 starts this season, having been placed on several occasions, adding a third career success with a decisive three and a half length victory.
Racing prominently from the outset, Tafawok settled in second and third, held just behind the early leader Bint Al Hareth (Al Hareth) and Mushaakis (Golden Horde), with his rider content to keep him covered. The order remained at the front unchanged for much of the race, with Bint Al Hareth dictating the tempo and appearing the likely winner passing the 300m marker. However, Tafawok produced a sharp turn of foot in the concluding stages, quickly reeling in the leader before asserting. Inside the final 100m he put daylight between himself and his rivals, drawing clear in impressive fashion. Mushaakis, also carrying the Injaaz Stud colours and trained by Ahmed Al Jehani, finished second with Arnaud de Lepine aboard, half a length ahead of Bint Al Hareth, who stayed on for HE Meshaal bin Ali Al-Attiyah, from the Mohammed Al Ghazali yard, with Soufiane Saadi at the reins, to complete the placings.
Future Man swoops late to deny leader
Future Man (Candy Ride x Ciao Bella) won Race 6, the Thoroughbred Handicap (75–95) over 1100m (Class 3) for four-year-olds and upwards, featuring a field of 12. The four-year-old grey gelding, in the colours of Sharq Stud, prepared by Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti and with Jefferson Smith doing the steering, maintained his recent excellent form, scoring for the third time in his last five starts with a strong late surge to prevail by half a length.
Settled in midfield through the early and middle stages, Future Man travelled comfortably as Weissmuller (Bungleinthejungle) set the pace from the outset, tracked by Selected (Mehmas) and Keel Bay (Starspangledbanner), with the trio prominent as the field began to quicken. On entering the straight, Selected and Keel Bay moved up to challenge, briefly disputing the lead, but Weissmuller soon regained control and looked set to go on and win. However, inside the final 300m, Future Man emerged from the outside with a dazzling run, rapidly making up ground. In the closing stages, he swept past the long-time leader, getting up in the final 50m to secure victory. Weissmuller, representing Yousef Ali Al Rumaihi and under the guidance of Hamad Al-Jehani, finished second with Szczepan Mazur in the saddle, one and a half lengths ahead of The Dunkirk Lads, who stayed on from off the pace for Mohammed Hamad Al-Hajri & Sons, from the Hadi Al Ramzani yard, with Salman Fahad Al-Hajri aboard to take third.
