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| Sumita Pawar |
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Al Ghadeer, trained by Francois Rohaut, showcased his exceptional form with a commanding win in the PA Gr.1 Qatar Arabian World Cup, held as part of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe undercard at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.
Al Ghadeer, who was partnered by Christophe Soumillon during the PA Group One Qatar Derby Des Pur-Sang Arabes in June in the French capital, had a brilliant performance and the duo barely faced any worries throughout the competition.
Al Mourtajez, a 4YO colt representing Al Shaqab Racing, glided effortlessly and accelerated smoothly in the homestretch to secure a two-length victory over Al Doha, ridden by Olivier Peslier and trained by Thomas Fourcy. Ch'Ezza, ridden by Maxime Guyon and trained by Rohaut, trailed four lengths behind in third place.
Soumillon said, “I took a while to get him settled and, unfortunately at the top of the hill when the pace slowed down, I had not much steering as he blocked the bit on one side.
“So, I decided to let him roll progressively. At the beginning of the straight I felt like I was on top of everyone. I didn’t want to ask him too much but then when I saw Olivier coming quickly on the outside to challenge us, I asked him to stride on a bit and he did it with ease. He’s a smart horse, He’s a real champion.”
At Lingfield Park, Mohammed Tabti guided Al-Hatab to victory in the Emirates Breeders (0-75) Handicap over a mile and a quarter, securing a hat-trick of wins.
Hawaii Five Oh has been chosen to fill the Aquis slot in The Everest, the prestigious A$20 million race. James McDonald, a champion jockey, is set to ride the impressive sprinter. Aquis selected Hawaii Five Oh for their coveted slot in the race.
The decision to select Hawaii Five Oh for the slot came after the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained runner demonstrated exceptional form, finishing swiftly in second place in the Gr.2 Premiere Stakes. This solidified his credentials for The Everest and made him a top choice for the Aquis team.
Adding to the excitement surrounding this announcement is the unexpected scratching of Group One winner, Sunshine In Paris. Aquis secured Hawaii Five Oh as their replacement, and it's clear that this horse has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
McDonald was initially slated to pilot last year’s winner Giga Kick, but with the defending champion ruled out of the race, he joined forces with the new contender. The pairing of McDonald and Hawaii Five Oh is sure to be a force to be reckoned with on the track.
With three slots still open, the racing community is eagerly awaiting further announcements from Chris Waller Racing, Coolmore, and Yulong Investments. The competition at The Everest is sure to be intense, with top contenders from around the world vying for the prestigious title.