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| Staff Writer |
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Sealine announced himself as a promising talent with a commanding pillar-to-post victory in the Al Britha Cup at Al Uqda Racecourse on Thursday. The locally-bred son of Ten Sovereigns, owned by Al Jeryan Stud and trained by M.H.K. Al Attiyah, demonstrated impressive early speed and maintained his advantage throughout the 1400m contest.
Under a confident ride from Soufiane Saadi, the 3YO gelding broke smartly from barrier 2 and never looked in danger, crossing the line two and three quarter lengths clear of Fakhar FBR. Muhab Al Uraiq finished a further two and three quarter lengths back in third, while Holwah weakened in the closing stages.
Kawaii D'Vialettes delivered a dominant front-running performance in the Purebred Arabian Handicap, securing a two-length victory over 1200m. The 5YO mare, trained by Ahmed Al Jehani and partnered by Arnaud de Lepine, showed impressive acceleration in the home straight to hold off Zamer, who faded late as Mejlad claimed second with Broog finishing a quarter-length behind in third.
In the Purebred Arabian Novice Plate over 2100m, Basheer Al Shahania improved significantly to score for trainer Rudy Nerbonne. Under Lukas Delozier, the 5YO outbattled stablemate Jalaad Al Shahania by one and a half lengths, with Muna finishing five lengths back in third, ahead of Moorawqe.
The staying contest over 3000m provided a thrilling spectacle as Hamaki claimed a dramatic short-head victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap. The Wathnan Racing-owned gelding, trained by Alban de Mieulle, had been knocking on the door since his last success at Ascot in August 2022, and finally secured a well-deserved win under a perfectly-timed ride from Soufiane Saadi.
Emperor Zen looked to have stolen the race when making a bold move at the 900m mark, but Hamaki produced a devastating late surge to deny Tiding in the shadow of the post. Salahudin finished one and a quarter lengths back in third, ahead of One Nation and Local Law.
Tayyar Al Shahania showed admirable tenacity to land the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap over 1400m for trainer Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi. The gelding, ridden by Fayos Martin Borja, held off a determined challenge from Muqtarib to score by half a length.
In the Thoroughbred Handicap over 2100m, Al Mehrab demonstrated impressive acceleration to secure victory for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani. Under Pierre Charles Boudot, the 6YO son of Zarak threaded through rivals in the closing stages to defeat Court Poet by one and a quarter lengths. Emerald Eclipse claimed third ahead of Road To The East, while early leaders Glengarra and Hello Deira weakened.
The day's opener saw Lanvin De Faust break his maiden in style over 1400m. The Khalifa Hamed Nasser Al Sawai-trained colt, ridden by Saleh Salem Al-Marri, overcame early leaders Radad, Masqool, and Kuoni Du Soleil before pulling clear in the straight to score by two and a half lengths from Fiafi and Al Manoorah.
Following the feature race, Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winning connections.