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| Staff Writer |
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Returnofthemac powered to victory in the prestigious REHC Cup at Sakhir last night, headlining the 24th meeting of the 2024-25 national season at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club.
The 8YO gelding, partnered by jockey Ali Husain, stormed home in the sixth race to claim the lion's share of the US$10,600 prize fund for owners Al Mohamediya Racing and trainer Osama Hashim.
Racing over 2,000m amongst a field of imported horses, Returnofthemac led home a strong showing for the Mohamediya operation, with Panning For Gold taking second place for the same owners but trained by Fawzi Nass with Andrew Breslin aboard.
The Mohamediya team further strengthened their grip on the race as Merlin's Beard secured third place with Hashim training and Hussain Asghar in the saddle, while Soldier's Empire completed the top four for the same owners with Marco Botti training and Ray Dawson riding.
Earlier on the card, Piz Nair claimed the other REHC Cup in the second race, narrowly prevailing in a 1,200m sprint for imported horses worth US$10,600. The 4YO gelding, representing the owners Al Adiyat Racing, trainer AM Smith and jockey Ali Isa, won by just a head.
Jehangeer, another Mohamediya runner trained by Botti with Ali Husain aboard, was the unlucky runner-up, while Cover Point finished third for Al Afoo Racing, trainer Jaber Ramadhan and jockey Mohammed Jamil. The Thin Blue Line, carrying the Mohamediya silks for trainer Ali Abdulmajeed with Asghar riding, completed the frame.
The evening began with Al Saqlawieh 1932 capturing the Fatees Al Hajeri Cup in a WAHO event over 1,200m worth US$4,000. The 4YO filly triumphed for Victorious, trainer Yousif Taher and jockey Abdulrahim Jasim.
Al Krush 1854 finished a neck behind in second for Al Sakhir, Jaffar Marzooq and Ebrahim Nader, while Kuheilat Al Adiyat 1861 took third for Al Wasmiya, trainer Abdulla Kuwaiti and jockey Adnan Jaffar. Al Saqlawieh M1070 filled fourth spot for Mohamediya, trainer Reyadh Ahmed and jockey Hasan Al Saffar.
Other winners on the Ramadan Nights programme included Epic, who took the Late S Sharaf Al Alawi Cup for Alliance Racing, trainer Yousif Alboainain and jockey Husain Makki, while Naahy won the third race for local breeds representing Fata Abdulhameed Majeed, Hashim and Asghar.
Fatal Obsession claimed race four for imported horses for M and E Racing, Smith and Alejandro Brun, Rawyaan triumphed in race five for Hasan Emad Hasan, trainer Ali Jan and jockey Anas Al Siyabi, with Tartan Chief concluding the evening's action by winning race seven for Mohamediya and Abdulmajeed, with Dawson aboard.