 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Kab Ghazal delivered a commanding performance to land the feature Asherij Cup under the floodlights at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Saturday, capping an evening of thrilling dirt action that featured seven fiercely contested races.
The 7YO mare, owned by Sharq Stud and trained by Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti, produced a decisive late burst to secure the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap for fillies and mares, giving jockey Rashid Ali Al-Marri sweet redemption after finishing runner-up in last year's edition.
The evening belonged to jockey Marco Casamento, who dominated proceedings with a scintillating treble aboard Little Heron, Harba Alseej and Al-Yaseen Zakhir.
Little Heron (Showcasing) finally broke her maiden at the 18th attempt with a determined late charge in the opening Class 6 Thoroughbred Handicap. The 4YO filly, owned by Sheikh Ali bin Mohamed F N Al-Thani and trained by Gassim AlGhazali, swooped late to collar long-time leader Mockirr by a neck.
Casamento quickly doubled up when Harba Alseej made her 13th start a winning one in the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. The Danadana filly, owned by Badr Batal A A Al-Otibi and trained by Nayef Batal Al-Otibi, demonstrated impressive determination to overhaul Al Shareeah by half a length.
The hot-handed Italian completed his hat-trick when Al-Yaseen Zakhir dazzled in the Local Purebred Arabian Novice Plate. The Al Mamun Monlau colt, owned by Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed F N Al-Thani and trained by Gassim Ghazali, secured a commanding second win from just three career starts, pulling four lengths clear with an explosive turn of foot.
Due To Dance continued his sharp upward trajectory in the Class 4 Thoroughbred Handicap, notching back-to-back wins and a fourth seasonal success. The progressive 3YO colt by Due Diligence, owned by Aldeebl Racing and trained by Mohammed Ghazali, sprinted clear under Fayos Martin Borja to win by two and a quarter lengths.
Al Mustafiz produced the day's most dominant display in the Purebred Arabian Handicap, storming to a ten-length victory. The 5YO son of Assy, owned by Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and trained by Julian Smart, unleashed a devastating turn of foot under Lukas Delozier to record his third win in seven seasonal appearances.
In the penultimate race, Suheal Qatar returned to winning ways with a gritty performance in the Class 2 Local Thoroughbred Handicap. The 7YO Dubday horse, owned and trained by Hamad Ateeq Mohammed Al Marri, rallied strongly under Youssef Lachhab to regain command in the final strides and win by a length and a quarter.
The evening climaxed with Kab Ghazal capturing the Gr.1 Asherij Cup with authority. The 7YO daughter of No Risk Al Maury tracked the strong early gallop set by Ezzat Nafs before sweeping past with a decisive move in the home straight.
Keheilah Al Sakab, representing Khalid Hamad M A Al-Atteya and Jassim Hamad Al-Atteya under Trevor Patel, gave chase but could not match the winner's strong finishing burst, while Dhouha, trained by Hadi Al Ramzani for Khamis Ali Khamis Al-Sulaiti and ridden by Lukas Delozier, stayed on from behind to take third.
"I was confident throughout the race," said winning jockey Rashid Ali Al-Marri. "She travelled sweetly and when I asked her for an effort, she responded instantly. After finishing second last year, it feels special to go one better this time."
Trainer Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti added: "She's been showing tremendous work at home, and we came here expecting a big performance. The way she finished suggests there's more to come from her this season."
The Asherij Cup Day delivered an evening of high-quality racing that showcased both established performers and emerging talent on the Qatar circuit, with several horses marking themselves as ones to follow through the remainder of the season.