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| Staff Writer |
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At QREC Al Rayyan Racecourse on Thursday, March 21st, 2024, Mkaee'lat Al Shahania (FR) (TM Fred Texas x Mkeefa) owned by H.E. Sheikha Yasmeen bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani, emerged victorious in the Al Wakra Cup, a 1600m Class 2 for 4YO Purebred Arabian fillies. The grey filly, trained by Rudy Nerbonne and ridden by Lukas Delozier, kept up with the leaders until the final furlong where she accelerated past her competitors to secure a remarkable win by three-quarters of a length. Djedahess (FR) (Dahess), trained by Yousef Ben Taher Mehaoued and owned by Eng. Dhafi Rashid H A Al-Marri, finished second under jockey Jefferson Smith. Farida (FR) (TM Fred Texas), owned by Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle, finished another four lengths behind in third, ridden by Soufiane Saadi. The winners were crowned by Abdulaziz Jassim Al Boenain, Al Uqda Complex Manager.
Moharb
Earlier today, trainer Gassim Ghazali continued his winning streak from the previous evening as he led Moharb (QA) (Sea's Legacy x River of Silence) to victory in the 1600m Class 6 Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for three-to-six-year-olds, representing Al Wasmiyah Farm. Jockey Louis Nomis kept the four-year-old bay colt prominently positioned, and he showcased an impressive burst of speed in the straight, crossing the finish line two lengths ahead of his competitors.
Dabas
Trainer Nayef Batal Al-Otibi had a lot to celebrate today as his horse, Dabas (FR) (AF AlBahar x Vega De Faust), owned by Abdulrahman Batal A A Al-Otibi, won the 1600m Class 6 Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for four-to-six-year-olds. Jockey Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi guided the bay horse to a front-running victory, leaving the rest of the field behind. In the end, Dabas (FR) won by an impressive four and a half lengths, cementing his place as a top contender in the race.
Bailey Gate
The third race of the event wrapped up with an exhilarating finish as Bailey Gate (IRE) (Shamardal x Castleacre), owned by Mubarak Ali M Al-Nuaimi and trained by Owaida Salem Al Hajri, just managed to stave off the challenge posed by Pherenikos (IRE) (Shamardal), owned by Khalid Nawaf M A Al-Maadheed and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, in the 1400m Class 5 Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 55-75, who was ridden by Soufiane Saadi. Mounted by Tomas Lukasek, Bailey Gate surged ahead of Pherenikos in the last 200m and won by a slender margin of a nose.
Bucanero
Bucanero (FR) (AF AlBahar x Josbella), a five-year-old grey horse owned by Nasser Saif Al Kubaisi and trained by Mohammed Ghazali, won the 2000m Class 3 Purebred Arabian Handicap for four-year-old and older horses rated 75-95. The victory was made possible by the exceptional riding of jockey Faleh Bughanaim, who skillfully guided the horse to a comfortable win. Bucanero lived up to the expectations and stretched well in the final stages, finishing the race with a margin of one and a half lengths.
Jungle Mate
In the third race of the evening, Jungle Mate (IRE) (Bungle Inthejungle x Play Mate), a three-year-old bay gelding owned by Saeed Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, emerged victorious in the 1600m Class 3 Thoroughbred Handicap for three-year-olds rated 70-90. Jockey Tomas Lukasek rode the horse expertly, as he surged through the pack and pulled away effortlessly in the final stages of the race, winning by a comfortable three lengths. This win marked a double victory for the jockey on the card.
Duhail
Jockey Chloe Mignonneau and the Jean de Mieulle-trained Duhail (IRE) (Lope De Vega x Single) emerged victorious in the 1600m Class 2 Thoroughbred Conditions race for three-year-old and older horses. The eight-year-old gelding, owned by Al Shaqab Racing, raced prominently throughout and pulled away effortlessly in the final 200m to win by two and a quarter lengths, marking his tenth career win.
Taxiwala
Taxiwala (IRE) (Holy Roman Emperor), owned and trained by Eng. Osama Omer E Al-Dafea, secured a victory after four consecutive placings. The seven-year-old bay gelding displayed his sprinting prowess by winning the 1100m Class 2 Thoroughbred Conditions race for three-year-old and older horses. Soufiane Saadi rode Taxiwala, who took the lead from the start and widened the gap in the final straight, winning by one and a quarter lengths.