Late surge lands Saida Al Waab Cup feature
Mdmar – Doha – Mohamed Saad
The Al Waab Cup race meeting took place on Saturday, 22 February, at Al Rayyan Racecourse on the turf, featuring a seven-race programme that combined progressive winners, decisive margins and a competitive feature to round off the afternoon.
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Across the seven races, the winners in order were Hardan making all in the staying Purebred Arabian handicap, Just A City Boy breaking his maiden in the Thoroughbred contest, Mister Linsou getting off the mark with authority, Rayyan Bu Thaila returning to winning ways in the Local Thoroughbred Graduation Plate, Manjam holding on gamely in a tightly fought Arabian handicap, RB Hot Mess charging clear late over the longer trip and Saida snatching victory in the Al Waab Cup with a decisive late surge.
Mr Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & Studbook Department, awarded the Al Waab Cup.
Saida snatches Al Waab Cup in dramatic finish
Saida (Migwar x Rahibah) claimed the seventh race, the Al Waab Cup, a Local Thoroughbred Handicap for ratings 50–70 over 1400m for 3yo+, producing a stirring late charge to prevail by a head. The five-year-old bay mare, owned by Time Form Syndicate and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, recorded her third win from five starts this season, completing a double on the card for her yard under Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi.
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Held up towards the rear through the early stages, Saida gradually improved into midfield as Barq Al Atam (Trade Storm) set the pace for much of the journey ahead of Al Nasr Al Washeek (Toronado), Toyota (Toronado), Lulwat Al Faisal (Al Wukair) and Al Deebil (Danadana). The tempo lifted approaching the final 600m as Toyota moved to challenge the long-time leader, the pair locked in battle entering the straight. With 200m remaining, the contest still centred on the front two, but Saida, having circled runners from the back, produced a sustained and decisive surge down the centre of the track. She swept past in the closing strides to snatch victory on the line in a thrilling finish. Al Deebil, representing Al Wasmiyah Farm and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, finished strongly under Arnaud de Lepine to take second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Toyota, who stayed on under Lukas Delozier for Al Ezz Stud and trainer Saeed Al Shafi.
Hardan makes all on return to form
Hardan (Assy x Baldora De Brugere) opened proceedings in the first race, a Local Purebred Arabian Handicap for ratings 0–65 over 2200m, Class 6, contested by nine runners. The eight-year-old grey, owned by Ms Maryam Abdulrahman Al-Jaber and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, produced a determined front-running display to make every yard under Pierre-Charles Boudot, bouncing back to winning ways with his second success of the season with a decisive 2½-length victory. His first win this campaign was on dirt over 1200m, demonstrating the veteran’s horse versatility across surfaces and distances.
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Breaking sharply from barrier 2, Hardan immediately seized the lead and set a steady tempo, closely shadowed throughout by Azooz (Aziz ASF) while Moorawqe (Munjiz), Kawkab (Kalino) and Mared Al Zaeem (Mared Al Sahra) tracked in behind as the order remained largely unchanged through the early and middle stages. From the rear, Za’al Al Shahania (Harran ASF) began to improve passing the 1200m mark, advancing into contention and moving into second approaching the 800m to loom as the principal threat turning for home. In the straight, Za’al Al Shahania closed strongly to reduce the margin to a neck, but inside the final 200m Hardan found extra, lifting the tempo once more to draw clear and assert late authority. Azooz, representing Metrek Ghanim Aldossari and prepared by Mohammed Al Ghazali, rallied under Lukas Delozier to regain second by a neck while Za’al Al Shahania, trained by Ahmed Kobeissi for Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik and ridden by Ivan Rossi, stayed on for third.
Just A City Boy breaks through in driving finish
Just A City Boy (Sioux Nation x Leoube) landed the second race, a Thoroughbred Handicap for ratings 0–60 over 2200m, Class 6, contested by 14 runners. The three-year-old bay gelding, owned by Alghazali Motors Racing and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, overcame the widest draw to shed his maiden tag at the seventh attempt, produced with precision by Jefferson Smith to prevail by a narrow quarter-length.
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Settled in mid-division after the break, Just A City Boy tracked the pace as early leaders changed frequently before Alshaqra (Footstepsinthesand) assumed control for much of the journey, followed by Sheikha SBS (War Of Will), Waqif (U S Navy Flag), Maraaheb (Sottsass) and Seeking Gold (Havana Gold). The order at the head of affairs remained largely intact passing the 800m as the field stayed compact and poised for the decisive stages. In the straight, Seeking Gold pressed forward to strike the front with Maraaheb in pursuit, but Just A City Boy and Extension Of Kings (Frankel), who had been ridden patiently towards the rear, began to close rapidly. Inside the final 200m several runners converged on the lead, with Just A City Boy, Maraaheb and Extension Of Kings locked together in a sustained duel that carried through to the line, where Just A City Boy found the strongest finish to edge ahead. Maraaheb, representing Khamis Ali Khamis Al-Sulaiti and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, stayed on gamely under Saleh Salem Al-Marri to secure second by a head while Extension Of Kings, owned by Jassim bin Ali Al-Attiyah and prepared by Bader Al Balushi, finished strongly under Pierre-Charles Boudot to take third in the tightly fought finish.
Mister Linsou off the mark in emphatic fashion
Mister Linsou (No Risk Al Maury x Nashrah) captured the third race, a Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for four-year-olds over 1400m, Class 6, contested by 12 runners. The bay colt, owned by Al Hajaj Farm and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, improved on a series of solid efforts, including a midfield finish in the HH The Amir Silver Sword last week and an earlier placing in Class 2 company, to register a deserved first career success, quickening clear in the straight to score by 2¼ lengths under Pierre-Charles Boudot, who brought up his second winner on the card.
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The eventual first three home were ridden patiently in the early stages as Lzaz (Mister Ginoux), who would finish fourth, set the pace for much of the journey, tracked by Malzoom FBR (Harran ASF) and HM Al Jadwal (Mister Ginoux), the latter eventually fifth. The tempo remained measured up front while the principals bided their time behind the leaders. Approaching the home turn, Mister Linsou, Guindol Dei Ribo (Dahess) and Albahar (AF AlBahar) all began to move into contention, closing steadily on the long-time leader. Passing the 300m mark, Mister Linsou produced a decisive turn of foot to assert, quickly putting the outcome beyond doubt as he lengthened clear. Guindol Dei Ribo stayed on well under Jefferson Smith to secure second, completing a notable one-two for owner Al Hajaj Farm and trainer Hamad Al-Jehani, the pair’s runners travelling in identical silks as they dominated the finish. Albahar, representing Al Rufaa Racing and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, kept on under Arnaud De Lepine to take third, finishing four lengths behind the runner-up but well clear of the remainder.
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Rayyan Bu Thaila back in the winner’s enclosure
Rayyan Bu Thaila (Bated Breath x Facade) landed the fourth race, a Local Thoroughbred Graduation Plate for 4yo+ over 2200m, Class 4, contested by four runners. The five-year-old chestnut gelding, owned by Injaaz Stud and trained by Jihad El Ahmad, returned to winning ways after a string of placed efforts this campaign, asserting in the straight to score by 3½ lengths under Pierre-Charles Boudot, who completed a quick-fire double and a treble on the card.
The race unfolded at an even tempo early as Felowah (Toronado) led the field, followed in single file by Rayyan Bu Thaila, Gasham (Zelzal) and Ghada (Zelzal), the quartet strung out in that order for much of the journey. Passing the 1200m mark, Felowah increased the pace and opened up a margin of several lengths, but approaching the 800m marker Rayyan Bu Thaila began to close steadily and reduce the deficit. Unfortunately, rounding the home turn, Felowah, ridden by Saleh Salem Al-Marri, fell with her rider, leaving Rayyan Bu Thaila to assume control. Once in the straight, he quickly asserted and drew clear to seal the result decisively. Gasham, owned and trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, stayed on under Damien Morin to take second, while Ghada, representing Al Raheeb Racing and prepared by Dr Fahad Salman Al-Hajri, finished third under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, distanced behind the runner-up.
Manjam returns to winning ways
Manjam (AF AlBahar x Farida Du Croate) captured the fifth race on the card, a Purebred Arabian Handicap for ratings 65–85 over 1400m, Class 4, contested by 11 runners. The five-year-old bay horse, owned by Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and trained by Zuhair Mohsen, bounced back from his previous outing to record a fourth success from eight career starts, overcoming a wide draw in stall 9 to prevail by ½ length under Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri.
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Breaking alertly despite the outside berth, Manjam raced prominently from the outset, initially sitting second behind Prince D’ossau (Al Tair) before tracking Mughayrh Alfalah (AF AlBahar). He assumed control passing the 1000m mark and set a steady, but assured, tempo, with Mughayrh Alfalah, Tulaitila (Al Mourtajez) and Al Jori (Al Mamun Monlau) all in pursuit, but unable to reduce the margin through the middle stages. Turning for home the field began to close, most notably Ghanem (Tabarak), who charged from the rear to join the leading group in the concluding strides. However, Manjam responded gamely under pressure and held firm to the line to secure victory. Ghanem, representing Al Eida Racing and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, finished strongly under Lukas Delozier to take second, just a neck ahead of Al Jori, who stayed on under Pierre-Charles Boudot for owner Mohammed Shaheen Al-Kuwari and trainer Hamad Al-Jehani.
RB Hot Mess storms home from widest draw
RB Hot Mess (Rathowan x RB Hot Spot) took the sixth and penultimate race on the card, a Purebred Arabian Handicap for ratings 65–85 over 2200m, Class 4, contested by 11 runners. The seven-year-old grey horse, owned by Yosuf Ahmad Telfat and trained by Bader Al Balushi, overcame the widest draw to deliver a powerful late performance, sweeping from the rear to score by 2½ lengths under Pierre-Charles Boudot, who rode his fourth winner on the day.
Restrained towards the rear early, RB Hot Mess travelled comfortably alongside Ensyaaby (Al Mamun Monlau) while Jeb’ran Al Shahania (Amer) initially showed the way before M’tawa El Saa’yeb (Jaafer ASF), the race favourite, pressed forward passing the 2000m mark to assume command and increase the tempo, opening up a sizeable advantage through the middle stages. With 1200m remaining, RB Hot Mess and Ensyaaby began to improve steadily into midfield, still travelling strongly as they advanced into contention. Turning for home, M’tawa El Saa’yeb remained in front, but his margin was rapidly diminishing as the closers loomed. Inside the final 300m RB Hot Mess unleashed a sustained surge, striking the front and quickly drawing clear as the long-time leader weakened after his early exertions. Jeb’ran Al Shahania, representing HE Sheikha Iman bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani and trained by Rudy Nerbonne, stayed on under Lukas Delozier to take second, a quarter of a length ahead of Ensyaaby, who finished well under Saleh Salem Al-Marri for Injaaz Stud and trainer Julian Smart.
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The “Mdmar” website which was Founded by Khaled Makhlouf in 2007 for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
