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| Staff Writer |
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Rothstein demonstrated his class with an emphatic four-length victory in Saturday's Lisha Cup at Al Uqda Racecourse, providing Wathnan Racing with a memorable double on a seven-race card contested entirely on sand.
The 4YO grey colt, trained by Alban de Mieulle and ridden by Soufiane Saadi, showcased his talents in the 2000m handicap for horses rated 70-90, marking his second career success with a commanding performance.
Studio City set the early tempo from stall eight, leading the 14-runner field along the rail, with One Nation, Thunder Flow, and Thor's Hammer in close pursuit. By the 1100m marker, Szczepan Mazur had urged Thunder Flow to the front, holding a narrow advantage until the home turn.
In the straight, Lukas Delozier pushed Thor's Hammer forward to briefly take command before Rothstein launched his decisive challenge. The son of Invincible Army powered clear in the final 200m, leaving Thor's Hammer to claim second for Al Rufaa Racing and trainer Gassim Ghazali, with Thunder Flow, owned by Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, finishing a neck away in third.
Earlier on the card, Classic Order delivered a polished performance in the 1300m handicap (75-95), securing a two-length victory under Gavin Matt Ryan for trainer Zuhair Mohsen and owner Hamad bin Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Attiya. The 5YO No Nay Never gelding proved too strong for Silver Jubilee and Return To Senders.
Killearn demonstrated marked improvement in the 2000m handicap (60-80), with Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi guiding the Ahmed Al Jehani-trained 6YO to a two-length success over Al Mehrab and Cloak And Dagger.
The day proved particularly successful for Al Shahania Stud and trainer Rudy Nerbonne, who celebrated a treble. Nasser Al Shahania claimed the 2000m Purebred Arabian Novice Plate, holding off Majeeb by half a length with Awamir a short head away in third, while Asma Al Shahania broke her maiden in the 1300m fillies' contest, finishing ahead of Al Nouf and Karla Du Croate.
Wathnan Racing's double was completed when Wakra Bu Thaila broke her maiden at the second attempt in the 2000m Local Thoroughbred contest, providing de Mieulle and Saadi with another success. The Eqtidaar filly crossed the line two lengths clear of S K Mroan and Mustakshif.
The day opened with Maysoon Al Shahania making a winning debut in the 1300m Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, nosing out stablemate Messera Al Shahania, with Deauville four lengths back in third.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winning connections.