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| Staff Writer |
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The Al Bayt Cup Meeting Division One delivered a compelling mix of commanding performances and nail-biting finishes at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Tuesday, with five winners showcasing their dirt prowess in contrasting styles.
Saida set the tone for the afternoon with a blistering performance in the opening Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, powering to a five-length victory under Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi. The 4YO filly, representing the Time Form Syndicate and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, was having just her second career start and announced herself as a serious prospect on both turf and dirt.
The Class 6 contest over 1200m began with Tawadood quickest into stride before Nice Heart surged forward to take control, with Nawasi and Saryah Almeydan close behind. Al Shalfa SK also moved into contention, but Nice Heart remained the one to catch turning for home, opening up a lead that looked decisive inside the final 300m.
However, Saida, who had been patiently ridden off the pace, was switched out and produced a stunning burst of speed inside the final 200m, sweeping past the field with ease to win going away. Inbihar took second, just a nose ahead of the long-time leader Nice Heart.
Sultanat made an immediate impact on his first outing in Qatar, landing the second race on the card, a Purebred Arabian Handicap for 4YOs and upwards over 1200m. The 6YO horse, owned and trained by Salem Fadgam Al Hajri and ridden by Shakir Al Balushi, showed grit and determination to win the Class 5 contest by a head in a thrilling finish.
In the eight-runner field, Hardan jumped well to set the early pace, tracked by Taaghi and Belgaro, with Sultanat racing handily just off the leading trio. As they approached the home bend, Sultanat made his move to take over at the front, but the race was far from over.
Hardan fought back along the rail while Angus launched a strong run from the outside and Hazm Al Sulaimi began weaving through rivals. In a tightly packed home straight, Hardan briefly regained the lead, only for Sultanat to dig deep once more and surge through the middle to reclaim the advantage in the dying strides, crossing the line narrowly in front of Hazm Al Sulaimi, with Hardan battling on bravely for third.
Cloak And Dagger returned to the winner's enclosure in style, claiming the third race of the evening — a Thoroughbred Handicap for 3YOs and upwards over 1200m. Representing Al Ghazali Stud and trained by Nasser Ghazali, the seasoned runner was given a perfectly judged ride by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, who completed a double on the card.
In the 12-runner Class 5 field, it was Far Shot who set the early tempo, breaking sharply to lead the charge. Boss Dog, Espirito, Silencer, Villain's Voice, and Cloak And Dagger gave chase in a well-bunched pack.
As the field turned for home, Far Shot still had his head in front, with Silencer making a bold move from the inside and Boss Dog beginning to fade. Cloak And Dagger, always within striking distance, loomed large as Al-Otaibi asked for more. The response was instant as he surged forward with authority, sweeping past the battling leaders and crossing the line a length and three quarters ahead.
The long-time leader Far Shot stayed on well for second, finishing just a neck ahead of Noble Patron who closed strongly in the final strides to snatch third.
The penultimate race, a Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for 4YOs to 6YOs over 1900m, witnessed one of the most dramatic finishes of the evening as Aaneef Zakhir overcame a tough field of 14 runners to open his account at the fourth career attempt. The 5YO lightly-raced horse, owned and trained by Osama Omer E Al-Dafea and ridden by Jefferson Smith, displayed tremendous resolve to get up right on the line and win by a nose.
Shamshon ANR was quickest from the barriers, taking the early lead from gate 12, with Al Qaws and Ushaiqer ANR close behind while Aaneef Zakhir settled just off the pace. Nearing the third bend,
Ushaiqer ANR surged to the front, with Aaneef Zakhir moving smoothly into second.
Balbalat Al Shahania struck the front as the field entered the home straight with Aaneef Zakhir following closely while Al Qaws and Al Marjalah fought bravely behind. Al Qaws then produced what looked like a race-winning move, pulling clear in the final 100m. But Aaneef Zakhir, refusing to concede, unleashed a blistering late burst to reel him in at the death, snatching victory by the smallest of margins in a finish that required the judge's confirmation.
The final race, a Thoroughbred Handicap for 3YOs and upwards over 1200m, featured a bold front-running display by Sardem, who overcame the widest draw in a 13-runner field to land a deserved victory. The 5YO gelding, owned by Al Azraq Stable and trained by Bader Al Balushi, built on his runner-up finish last time out to go one better under a confident ride from Maikon De Souza.
Breaking smartly from gate 13, Sardem quickly pushed forward to take command and dictate the tempo. He was initially pressed by Lowton, then by Nano Toro, who stayed close to him all the way into the home straight. But once straightened up, Sardem responded willingly to his regular jockey's urgings and powered clear to seal the win by a length and a quarter.
The closing stages staged a fierce duel for the minor honours as Millions and Meraj made strong late bids, with Millions securing second place by only a neck in a tight finish for the places.