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| Staff Writer |
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Kohinoor made the most of her early speed to secure a convincing maiden success in Tuesday's opener at Al Uqda, setting the tone for an action-packed Division One of the Athbah Race Meeting on 15th April. The compelling five-race card featured thrilling contests for both Purebred Arabians and Thoroughbreds, building anticipation for Division Two scheduled for tomorrow on the same track.
Breaking smartly from barrier 2, the 4YO filly Kohinoor (Al Mamun Monlau x Anwaar) went straight to the front in the Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for fillies and mares, dictating the pace under Fayos Martin Borja. Following a promising fourth on debut in early February, H.E. Meshaal Bin Ali M A Al-Attiyah's homebred stepped forward sharply on just her third career outing.
Al Aliya J.H (AF AlBahar) and Dameetha (Kalino) disputed positions behind the leader with Zuhour Al Sulaimi (AF AlBahar) tracking closely. In the final 200m, Bariq Almass (Gazwan) and Zuhour Al Sulaimi attempted to challenge, but Kohinoor had more to give and pulled away impressively to score by two and a half lengths for trainer Mohamed Khaled Elahmed. Zuhour Al Sulaimi held on for second, with Dameetha a further three-quarters of a length behind in third.
Al Ghaith (Redback x Miss Adelaide) delivered a powerful late run to land the second race, the Local Thoroughbred Handicap for 3YOs and older rated 30–50 over 2100m, enhancing his record with a second win from just four career starts.
Al Sareh (Namid) set the early pace, with Charlie Bu Thaila (Dubday) surging forward from the widest gate to sit in second. The 5YO Al Ghaith and Achika (Migwar) raced in close proximity behind the leaders as the field remained largely unchanged through the backstretch. On the home turn, AJS Safwan (Battle of Marengo) joined in from the rear with a strong late bid, but inside the final 100m Szczepan Mazur produced Al Ghaith with a decisive burst to sweep past the field and score by one and a half lengths for trainer Zuhair Mohsen and owner Injaaz Stud. Achika finished second while Charlie Bu Thaila was a further three-quarters of a length back in third.
Pearling Path (Holy Roman Emperor x Sacrifice My Soul) bounced back to winning ways with a determined performance in the third race, the Thoroughbred Handicap for 4YOs and older rated 75–95 over 1200m, scoring for the second time this season.
The early stages saw four contenders vying for the lead, with Saigon Dream (Oasis Dream) eventually taking it up, closely followed by the 5YO gelding Pearling Path and Return To Senders (Sir Prancealot). As the field rounded the home turn, Return To Senders pressed forward along with Saigon Dream, while Deep Havana (Havana Grey) loomed to join the fray.
Once in the home straight, Trevor Patel timed his move to perfection aboard Pearling Path, who quickened smartly to edge ahead of his rivals and secure the win by a length for trainer Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki and owner Mohammed Abdulhadi S Al-Hajri. Deep Havana ran on well to take second, with Return To Senders a further length and a quarter back in third.
Al Ghashem (Meghwaar x Princesse Du Pouy) confirmed his bright start to racing with a decisive win in the fourth race, the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for 3YOs over 1200m. Having finished second on debut less than three weeks ago, the 3YO colt broke his maiden on his second career start with a performance signalling a promising future.
Trained and owned by Mansoor Mesfer Al-Shahwani, Al Ghashem was quickly into stride and took the early lead before AJS Zelzal (Rasheed) pressed forward to take over, with Alebb Katara (Majd Al Arab) close behind. Baraka Al Naif (Tabarak) and Aabrood (Sand Victor) began to improve from mid-pack, while Hay'er Al Shahania (Harran) was making ground from wide.
Showing an excellent turn of foot in the final 200m under Pranil Arvind Kharat, Al Ghashem surged clear to win by two lengths. Stablemate Hay'er Al Shahania completed a one-two for the winning owner and trainer with a strong late run, while Alebb Katara finished a further four and a half lengths behind in third.
Alshanfara (AF AlBahar x Baldora De Brugere) delivered a thrilling late run to land his first victory in Qatar in the fifth and final race, the Purebred Arabian Graduation Plate for 4YOs and older over 1400m.
Owned by Ghazwan Racing and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, the 5YO horse was settled in a mid-pack position under Jefferson Smith as Mared Al Jasra (Mared Al Sahra) took the early lead, closely followed by Tulaitila (Al Mourtajez), Djalco (Josco Du Cayrou), Arion (Dahess), and Salwa (Kalino).
The order remained tight into the home straight, with Mared Al Jasra still dictating terms and Tulaitila pressing behind. Alshanfara, biding his time, responded powerfully to his jockey's urgings in the final 200m. As Mared Al Jasra looked set for victory, Alshanfara surged forward and engaged in a fierce battle to the line.
With a final burst, Alshanfara got up in the dying strides to win by half a length. Mared Al Jasra held on for second, while Tulaitila was a further four and a half lengths away in third.
The action continues tomorrow with Division Two of the Athbah Race Meeting, featuring the Athbah Cup as the highlight event on what promises to be another exciting day of racing at Al Uqda.