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| Staff Writer |
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Wafei produced a devastating turn of foot to land the Al Rakayat Cup at Al Uqda on Saturday, providing Alban de Mieulle and Soufiane Saadi with the final leg of a memorable treble.
The American Pharoah gelding, representing Wathnan Racing, stormed clear in the closing stages of the 2200m Thoroughbred Handicap to score by three lengths, marking an impressive Qatar debut.
Billabong cut out the early running from the widest draw, establishing a clear lead by the 1000m mark, with Sussex and Studio City in pursuit while Wafei settled in midfield. As Billabong's early exertions took their toll, Praiano assumed command turning for home, but Wafei's acceleration proved decisive.
Praiano, trained by Gassim Ghazali, held second by half a length from the Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi-trained Yardan.
Earlier on the card, Townsend Manor demonstrated his progression with an authoritative display in the 1300m Thoroughbred Handicap. The Advertise gelding, trained by Gassim Ghazali for Al Rufaa Racing, pulled clear under Fayos Martin Borja to score by 2¼ lengths from Opera Legend, with Tilaawah a further three-quarters of a length away in third.
The de Mieulle-Saadi combination struck earlier when Skipper made a winning Qatar debut in the 2000m Thoroughbred Novice Plate. The Calyx gelding, carrying the Wathnan Racing silks, prevailed in a tight finish, holding Thor's Hammer by a quarter length with City Burglar 1¾ lengths back in third.
Charlie Bu Thaila bounced back to form in the 2000m Local Thoroughbred Handicap, providing trainer Hamad Al-Jehani and jockey Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi with a double on the day. The Dubday gelding scored by three lengths from Abr Al Bahr, with Royal Rose two lengths further back.
Pure Motion displayed her class in the 1300m Thoroughbred Handicap for trainer Mohammed Ghazali, while Al-Jehani and Al-Otaibi's earlier success came courtesy of Al Hemroor in the 2000m Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate.
The opening race went to Kafalat, completing the de Mieulle-Saadi treble in the 1300m Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, the Kalino colt getting off the mark at the third attempt by half a length from Arenteiro.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winning connections.