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| Staff Writer |
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On Saturday, 9th December, Alouqa owned and trained by Mohammed Ahmed S F Al-Hajri, secured a spectacular victory by winning the Ras Mlaiji Cup at Al Uqda Racecourse. The 5YO gelding, ridden by Carlos Henrique, continued his remarkable form by clinching his second victory in his fourth start this season, winning the 2000m Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (65-85) for 3YO+.
Alouqa displayed an impressive performance by recording a pillar-to-post victory. Despite being drawn wide in stall 9, he broke very well and took the lead shortly after the start. He was followed by Shaweesh (Nizam) with Hardan in third position from outside, and AJS Hajaj in fourth from inside. The order of the 11-runner field remained unchanged for the majority of the race.
Heading into the penultimate bend, the field became a bit bunched. Once in the home straight, Alouqa accelerated even more, while the early challengers weakened and dropped back. In the final 100m, Mukabr came from behind with a late charge trying to challenge the leader, but that was quite late as he did not pose a real threat to Alouqa, who went on to win by a length clear at the line. Mukabr, in the colours of Al Rakaben Stud, settled for second under jockey Mohammed Moussa for trainer Dr. Fahad Salman F S Al-Hajri. The Three Quarter Racing-owned and Zuhair Mohsen trained Haraiqu, who was a favourite, managed only to finish third as she was further two and a quarter lengths under jockey Soufiane Saadi.
The meeting kicked off with the 1300m Local Thoroughbred Handicap (25-45) for 3YO+, and Mallhog, owned and trained by Fahad Bin Mubarak Bin Jassim Al Groon, got off to a superb start, quickening nicely and going one and three-quarter lengths clear under jockey Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi.
The 1300m Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for 2YOs, went to Waqif, owned and trained by Hamad Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani, as he teamed up with jockey Tomas Lukasek to score an exciting win by three-quarters of a length at the line.
The Al Wasmiyah Farm-owned and Georges Mikhalides trained Perfect Approach secured a good victory by two and a quarter lengths in the Thoroughbred Handicap (55-75) for 3YO+ over 1300m, putting his previous start behind him.
Haman carrying the colours of H.E. Sheikha Iman Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, shaped promisingly on seasonal debut when he finished second last month. He continued his good form and won the 2000m Purebred Arabian Novice Plate for 3YO+ by a length and a half for trainer Rudy Nerbonne, with Lukas Delozier in the saddle.
The Nibras Racing Syndicate owned and Abdulla Al-Mulla trained Desert Games, a 3YO gelding, confirmed the brilliant start of his career in Qatar. He finished second on Qatar debut less than two weeks ago and went on to get off the mark as he won the 1200m Thoroughbred Handicap (65-85) for 3YO+ by a quarter of a length. He was ridden by Ivan Rossi on both occasions.
Jockey Lukas Delozier rode his second winner on the day when he guided the Faraj Saleh M Al-Otaibi owned Veverka Py to bounce back to winning ways quickly. The Mohammed Ghazali trained 6YO horse took the 1300m Purebred Arabian Handicap (60-80) for 3YO+ and won by four lengths.