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| Staff Writer |
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Eifrit, under a patient ride from Marco Casamento, produced a commanding performance to retain the Umm Al Zubar Cup at Al Rayyan on Wednesday for owner Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed FN Al Thani and trainer Jassim Ghazali.
The 6YO bay, held up in the early stages of the 1900m Purebred Arabian contest, powered clear in the closing stages to score by 2¼ lengths from Fayq Al Shahania, representing HE Sheikha Iman MK Al Thani.
Previous winners of this prestigious contest include multiple Group One winner Ebraz, who went on to land the Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood, and Al Mourtajez, successful in the Qatar Arabian World Cup at Longchamp.
Earlier on the card, Ghazali completed a quick-fire double when Mystical Music, owned by Nasser Saeed MS al-Eida, landed the 1700m Thoroughbred Handicap under Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, finishing a length clear of Al Shaman.
The sand track also proved fortunate for Sky Blue, who stormed to a five-length victory in the Local Thoroughbred Handicap for trainer Ahmed Al Jehani and jockey Alberto Sanna, while the opener went to Lavinia De Carrere for trainer-owner Hamad Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani.
HE Meshaal bin Ali Al Attiyah, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Bosnia and Herzegovina, presented the trophies to the winning connections.
Racing continues at Al Uqda today with the prestigious nine-race HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy card, while Saturday's Al Rakayat Cup features seven competitive contests.