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| Staff Writer |
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Desert Drama Bluey's Boy demonstrated his affinity for the sand track at Al Uqda on Wednesday, powering to an impressive maiden victory in the Wadi Al Sail Cup. The 4YO gelding by James Garfield out of Park Glen, trained by Tareq Essa R A Abdulla, had shown promise in his previous outings and finally delivered with a performance full of determination.
Under a perfectly-timed ride from Ivan Rossi, the gelding travelled smoothly in midfield as Axis, a son of Oasis Dream representing trainer Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki and ridden by Jefferson Smith, set honest fractions up front. Due To Dance, by Due Diligence from the Mohammed Ghazali yard with Faleh Bughanaim in the saddle, tracked the leader throughout the early stages.
The Local Purebred Arabian Handicap over 1300m provided a thrilling spectacle as Khaled Al Shahania showcased his class with a determined victory. The 5YO son of Assy, trained by Ahmed Kobeissi and ridden by Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, tracked the early pace set by Chrome before asserting his authority in the closing stages.
The contest developed into a fierce battle in the straight, with Kanz Al Adeed briefly looking like the likely winner before Khaled Al Shahania found an extra gear. Messera Al Shahania and Deauville both launched strong late challenges, but the winner had already flown, securing victory by a length.
Making her seasonal reappearance, Messaouda demonstrated her class in the Local Thoroughbred Novice Plate. The 6YO mare by Migwar, trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, had been off the track since March 2024 but showed no signs of rustiness under Fayos Martin Borja.
As Bint Al Hareth and E'Zz disputed the early lead, Borja bided his time before producing his mount with a perfectly-timed challenge. Messaouda responded generously, powering past her rivals to score by half a length from Neshan, with E'Zz holding on for third.
The form of the Thoroughbred Novice Plate over 2000m took on a solid look as Tiding, a son of Dubawi out of Sun Maiden, secured back-to-back victories. The Gassim Ghazali-trained colt travelled strongly throughout as Zero Mostel and Eddeki disputed early fractions.
When Zero Mostel's early exertions took their toll in the straight, Edgartown looked poised to take advantage, but Tiding's superior stamina came into play. Ghazali's charge ran on strongly to score by a length, with Edgartown second and Court Poet staying on for third.
The Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate over 2200m saw S K Mroan finally break his duck at the 25th attempt. The 6YO gelding, trained by Mubarak bin Zayed Al Awami and ridden by Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri, tracked the strong pace set by Capitan Diamond before making his move in the straight.
As the leader began to tire and drift wide, S K Mroan took full advantage, surging clear to score by three lengths. Shagran Alseej claimed second, with Mustakshif a further one and a half lengths away in third.
The meeting concluded on a high note as Mubkhar Al Shahania made a stunning debut in the Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate. The 4YO Gazwan colt, trained by Rudy Nerbonne and ridden by Lukas Delozier, travelled strongly throughout the 1300m contest.
As Za'al Al Shahania and Thaar disputed the early lead, with Ta'hoos Al Shahania soon joining the fray, Delozier remained patient. When he asked his mount to quicken in the straight, the response was immediate and impressive. Mubkhar Al Shahania swept past his rivals with authority, drawing clear to score.
The day began with an impressive display from Far Shot in the Thoroughbred Handicap. The Salem Fadgham Al-Hajri-trained 5YO son of Kodiac, ridden by Youssef Lachhab, delivered a strong late surge to claim victory by two and a half lengths from Tuscan, with Thanks Forever a further length and three quarters back in third.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, was on hand throughout the afternoon to present trophies to the successful connections, concluding a competitive day's racing at Al Uqda.