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| Staff Writer |
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PIZ Nair powered to an impressive victory in the Late Mr. Abdulla Ahmed Nass Cup, the feature contest at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) in Sakhir yesterday.
Racing as part of an exciting second day of the REHC's Eid Al Fitr Festival, the 4YO gelding claimed the 1,400-metre challenge for imported horses with a commanding performance under jockey Abdulrahim Jasim.
Representing owners Al Adiyat Racing and trainer AM Smith, PIZ Nair secured first place with a full length's advantage over runner-up Juantorena, who was carrying the silks of Victorious for trainer Fawzi Nass with Husain Makki aboard.
Army Ethos came home third for the same Victorious and Nass partnership with Arnaud de Lepine in the saddle, while Pure Dreamer completed the frame in fourth for Al Adiyat Racing, Smith and Lee Newman.
The winner collected the lion's share of the US$26,500 prize fund on offer for the second challenge of yesterday's eight-race card.
The evening's action featured three additional cups, with Devaste claiming the Sarens Nass Cup in the seventh race. The 6YO gelding, representing Al Mohamediya Racing and trainer Osama Hashim, triumphed in the 1,000-metre contest for imported runners under Soufiane Saadi.
Devaste prevailed by a half-length from Rebel At Dawn, who finished second for Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and trainer Adel Abdulla with Marcialis Jaures aboard. Labalaba took third for Shaikh Isa bin Duaij bin Salman bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Nass and Makki, while Inveigle collected fourth place prize money for Sayed Jawad Marzooq, trainer Mahmood Jawad and Ahmed Maki.
In the sixth race, Bleak secured victory in the Royal Golf Club Cup, racing over 2,400 metres for owner Abdulla Fawzi Nass, trainer Fawzi Nass and jockey Makki. Tartan Chief finished second for Al Mohamediya and trainer Ali Abdulmajeed with Saadi aboard, followed by Laser Guided in third for Victorious, trainer Yousif Taher and Ebrahim Nader, with Elwasme in fourth for Al Mohamediya, Abdulmajeed and Hussain Asghar.
The Applied Science University Cup went to Be Lucky My Son in the day's fourth race. The 6YO gelding powered home over 1,800 metres with Makki in the saddle for Bin Isaan Racing and Nass. Battyeford Boy claimed second for Abdulla Al Gaoud and trainer Abdulla Kuwaiti with Jasim aboard, while Fleet Admiral took third for Hasan Mohamed Al Doseri, trainer Ali Jan and Nader, and Speedtail finished fourth for Ali Jaafar Darwish, trainer Jaffar Darwish and Adnan Jaffar.
Completing yesterday's winners, Al Ma'anagy 1919 took race one for Victorious, Taher and Jasim; Al Nayelah claimed race three for Shaikh Salman bin Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, Kuwaiti and Jasim; Lyra prevailed in race five for Sayed Hadi Habib Mohsen, Abdulmajeed and Asghar; and Coiled And Ready concluded the card with victory in race eight for Victorious, Smith and Franky Vanhonsebrouck.
The successful two-day festival formed part of the 27th meeting of the 2024-25 national horseracing season, with several races being held under REHC's impressive floodlights as part of the Eid Al Fitr celebrations.