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| Staff Writer |
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Salamanca Lad powered to a gutsy victory in the Majid Rashid Alzayani Cup at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club last night, narrowly outbattling his rivals in a pulsating finish to the feature contest.
Racing in the colours of Al Afoo Racing and trained by Jaber Ramadhan, the 4YO gelding showed tremendous tenacity under a well-judged ride from Ebrahim Nader to land the 2,000-metre contest worth US$10,582 in prize money.
The meeting, marking the first of two nights in the Eid Al Fitr Festival, attracted several dignitaries including General Sports Authority deputy chairman Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and REHC High Committee deputy chairman Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa.
In what proved a thrilling spectacle, Intricacy representing Al Khaldiya and trainer AM Smith chased home the winner, finishing just three-quarters-of-a-length adrift under Lee Newman. Rollajam claimed third for Victorious and trainer Fazi Nass with Husain Makki aboard, while Gumais completed the frame for Al Mohamediya Racing, handler Osama Hashim and jockey Hussain Asghar.
Earlier on the card, Mediterranean Moon showcased her class when landing the REHC Cup over 1,600m. The 6YO mare, representing M and E Racing and trainer AM Smith, stormed clear under Newman to score by an emphatic two-and-a-quarter lengths.
The consistent California, running for owner Abdulla Sami Nass and trainer Fawzi Nass, filled the runner-up spot with Makki in the saddle. Rider On The Storm took third for the same connections as the winner but with Marcialis Jaures doing the steering, while Hizaam claimed fourth for Shaikh Salman bin Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa and trainer Abdulla Kuwaiti.
The evening's most dominant display came from Phoenix Passion who cruised to an impressive success in the Late Shaikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Cup over 2,000m. Carrying the familiar silks of Al Mohamediya Racing and trained by Fawzi Nass, the 4YO gelding pulled well clear under Hussain Asghar to score by three-and-a-quarter lengths.
King Of The Throne took second for Al Afoo Racing, Jaber Ramadhan and Hasan Asghar, with Flame Spirit finishing third for owner Mohamed Yousif Sarhan and trainer Yousif Sarhan. Apres Dark completed the placings for Al Asayel Racing and trainer Khalid Al Khatri.
The remaining races saw victories for Musannan M908, Gharam, Catherine Parr, Pegasus, Malakye and What A Business for their respective connections.
Tonight's card features eight races headlined by the Late Mr. Abdulla Ahmed Nass Cup, a 1,400m contest for imported horses carrying prize money of US$26,454. Three additional cup races, including the Sarens Nass Cup and Royal Golf Club Cup (both worth US$10,582) plus the Applied Science University Cup (US$7,936), complete an enticing programme scheduled from 4pm until 7.30pm.