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| Staff Writer |
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In a heart-stopping conclusion to Wednesday's seven-race dirt card at QREC Al Rayyan, Return To Senders delivered a masterclass in timing to claim the feature Rowdat Rashid Cup. The 7YO, trained by Gassim Ghazali and ridden by Marco Casamento, produced a devastating late burst to snatch victory in the shadows of the post.
As the gates crashed back for the 1,200m contest, last year's victor My Glory showed early dash before Selected assumed command. The pace was relentless as X Force moved up to challenge, with the pair establishing a clear advantage over My Glory in third.
Entering the final bend, the leading trio appeared to have matters between them until Secret Victory emerged as a serious contender, relegating My Glory to fourth. However, just as the race seemed settled, Return To Senders unleashed an explosive turn of foot, weaving through rivals to claim a dramatic victory by a nose.
Secret Victory, representing Salem Fadgam Al Hajri & Sons and piloted by Youssef Lachhab, claimed second, while X Force stayed on for third, one and three-quarter lengths adrift under Szczepan Mazur.
Earlier, Mutamarrid set the tone for the evening with an emphatic victory in the opener. The Injaaz Stud-owned 7YO, trained by Jihad El Ahmad, stormed clear under Tomas Lukasek to win by five and a quarter lengths.
Washeek broke his maiden at the sixth attempt in the 1,700m contest for Hamad Al-Jehani, while Blazing Sunset produced the performance of the day when bolting up by 12 lengths in the 1,900m handicap.
The Arabian contests saw Jadal break his maiden tag impressively for trainer Ahmed Kobeissi, while Roma completed a double for Al-Jehani in the fillies' and mares' division.
Keel Bay rounded off the supporting card with a commanding three-length success in the finale for trainer Mohammed Ghazali and jockey Faleh Bughanaim.
QREC Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi presented the trophies to the winning connections.