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| Staff Writer |
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Supercooled produced a devastating turn of foot to land the Qatar Derby Trial at Al Uqda on Thursday, providing Wathnan Racing with the highlight of a memorable three-timer. The Alban de Mieulle-trained colt, making his Qatar debut, swooped late under James Doyle to deny Aafoor by a head in the 2100m contest.
The 3YO son of Lope De Vega showed tremendous courage in the closing stages, with stablemate Jayyash finishing two lengths back in third under Soufiane Saadi.
The Purebred Arabian Derby Trial went to Al Shaqab Racing's homebred Afjan, who got the better of a thrilling duel with stablemate Al Zwair. Jean de Mieulle's charge, partnered by Faleh Bughanaim, produced a perfectly-timed challenge to score by a neck, with Tareq half a length away in third.
Warming announced herself as a serious Oaks contender with an emphatic success in the Thoroughbred Oaks Trial. The Hamad Al-Jehani-trained filly, owned by Khalid bin Ghanem M Al-Kuwari, stretched clear under Szczepan Mazur to score by 2¾ lengths from Haya, with Princess Alice 1¼ lengths further back.
De Mieulle's day to remember continued when Divana Chica landed the Purebred Arabian Oaks Trial, giving Doyle another winner. The Majd Al Arab filly powered home by 1¼ lengths from Djedahess, while stablemate Tamannite claimed third.
Earlier, War Boy maintained his upward curve in the Local Thoroughbred Trial, making all under Doyle to score by a length. The progressive colt, representing Wathnan Racing and De Mieulle, was following up a promising placed effort two weeks ago.
The card opened with Glitterati making a winning Qatar debut in the Thoroughbred Open Race. The Wasim Al Sahn-trained juvenile, owned by 51 East Racing, prevailed by half a length under Jefferson Smith, with Shadow Army and Morning Vietnam filling the minor places.
Notable previous winners of the Qatar Derby Trial include 2022 victor Desert Crown, who went on to land the following year's Epsom Derby, and 2021 winner Highland Avenue, subsequently successful in the Gr.2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket.
This year's renewal suggests another strong crop of three-year-olds is emerging in Qatar, with Supercooled marking himself down as one to follow after showing both class and determination in equal measure.