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| Sumita Pawar |
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On Wednesday 29th November 2023, at Al Rayyan Racecourse, Ernest Aldrich, owned by Abdulatif Hussain M Z Al-Emadi and trained by Bader Al Balushi, secured a second consecutive victory, remaining unbeaten this season. The 7YO horse won the Brooq Cup with a neck victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap (80-100) for 3YO+, completing a double for jockey Soufiane Saadi in the race meeting conducted on dirt.
After winning the Doha Cup on his season debut and ending his last season campaign with a win, the son of Oasis Dream was a favorite for the 1900m race. He broke from stall 9 and settled in third position close to the lead, which was taken early by Massam, who set a steady pace throughout.
In the same colors as the eventual winner, stable mate Jewel House was in second position. The pack kept the same order up to the final bend. Entering the home straight, Jewel House improved to take the lead from tiring Massam and looked like a potential winner. However, Toromona (Shamardal), owned by Rashid Awajan K A Al-Khayarin and trained by Hamad Al Jehani, came charging to challenge for the lead.
The winners were crowned by QREC Racing Manager, Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi.
Alhafar, owned by Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani, continued his impressive form this season in the penultimate race of the nine-race card meeting. The 6YO gelding, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, dominated the Purebred Arabian Handicap and won the 1900m race by a whopping nine lengths with jockey Arnaud De Lepine in the saddle. This was his second win in six starts this season, and he never finished outside the top three in any of them.
Crush And Run, a 4YO gelding owned by Al Jasra Stud, had a perfect start to his 2023/24 season campaign by winning the Thoroughbred Handicap (70-90) for 3YO+. Under the guidance of jockey Ivan Rossi, he won the 1200m contest by a length and a quarter, saddled by Abdulla Al-Mulla.
Silks Pass, owned by Noora Racing Limited, finally tasted victory this season as he won the 1200m Thoroughbred Handicap (60-80) for 3YO+. Under the guidance of Tomas Lukasek, he won by a length and three quarters for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani. This was his third attempt at winning this season.
In the Thoroughbred Handicap (0-75) for 3YO+, Owners Dream won Division 2, carrying the colours of The Pearl Racing. This was his second start this season and he won impressively by four and a half lengths, completing a quick-fire double for jockey Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi. Meanwhile, in the Purebred Arabian Handicap for 3YO+, Forgehill Chiraz won by a quarter of a length, scoring his second straight victory on his third start this season.
Dejame Paso won Division 1 of the Thoroughbred Handicap for 3YO+, owned by Eng. Hassan Ali M Alabdulmalik and trained by Debbie Mountain. Haraiqu won the Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for 3-6YOs by three and a half lengths, while Burkan Zakhir (QA) (La Hoor x Naamah) won the Purebred Arabian Handicap (45-65) for 3YO+ by three quarters of a length, providing Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi with his first winner in his very first season as a trainer.