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| Staff Writer |
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Toromona produced a devastating display to land the Al Jassasiya Cup at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Tuesday, storming clear in the home straight to score by an incredible 11 lengths.
The 7YO gelding, owned by Rashid Awajan K A Al-Khayarin and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, turned his recent runner-up finish into a commanding victory under Lukas Delozier, leaving rivals toiling in his wake.
The early stages saw a bunch of runners battling for the lead, but soon the race was confined to Toromona, Jewel House, Neat And Dandy, Seulomonde, and Local Law. Approaching the home bend, Thor's Hammer improved strongly to take the lead with Cei Connah finishing very strongly as well, but Toromona responded aggressively, retaking the lead.
Once in the straight, Toromona continued to increase the gap, not allowing any of his rivals to mount a challenge. Cei Connah, owned by Hassan Ali A M Alabdulmalik, finished second under jockey Jefferson Smith for trainer Debbie Mountain. Thor's Hammer, owned by Al Rufaa Racing, finished third, further four lengths behind, with Soufiane Saadi aboard for trainer Gassim Ghazali.
Qahwa produced a dominant front-running display to claim her maiden win in the opening race of the day, the Class 6 Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for 3YOs over 1700m.
The bay filly, owned and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, was making only her second career appearance and wasted no time in asserting her authority, leading from start to finish under a confident ride by Trevor Patel.
Breaking sharply from barrier 4 in a field of 13, Qahwa immediately took command of the pace, chased in the early and middle stages by Hill Street Blues, Corpus Juris, Quick Point and Panenka, all of whom were locked in a tussle for the minor positions.
Turning for home, Qahwa kicked clear with authority and widened her advantage with every stride to score by two and a quarter lengths. Future Man produced a strong late run to grab second while Corpus Juris kept on well to take third, a further length behind.
The second race in the card, a Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for 4YOs-to-6YOs over 1700m (Class 6), saw Prince D'ossau deliver an eye-catching performance to break his maiden in his ninth career appearance.
The 5YO gelding handed owner-trainer Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki a rapid double on the day, kicking clear for a dominant victory under Youssef Lachhab.
Breaking from barrier 8 in the 14-runner race, Prince D'ossau settled in fourth behind the early leaders. Al Ghassam La Gloire set the pace, closely followed by Gudari Du Paon and AJS Burkaan, with the eventual winner tracking them confidently.
As the field straightened for home, AJS Burkaan improved from the outside and Billythekid Pompadour loomed up to challenge for the lead. But Prince D'ossau, still full of running, surged past them all with an impressive late sweep and stretched away to score by three and a quarter lengths. Billythekid Pompadour held on for second while the long-time leader Al Ghassam La Gloire stayed on well to take third.
A thrilling blanket finish brought the third race to a dramatic close, as Kera De Flauzins returned to winning ways in the Purebred Arabian Handicap for 4YOs and up over 1700m (Class 5), scoring by a short head for Injaaz Stud, trainer Julian Smart and jockey Abdelakrime Bendia.
The 5YO mare broke from barrier 7 and settled in mid-division, biding her time as Kai Du Soleil took the early lead, closely tracked by Hardan, Aktolgali, and Lavinia De Carrere.
In the middle stages, Aktolgali and Hardan surged ahead, opening a gap on the rest of the field. But, as they approached the final bend, the field compressed, and the race transformed into a tightly contested affair.
Achmed, who had also tracked the early leaders, made a strong move to the front in the straight and looked set for victory. However, Kera De Flauzins dug deep and produced a late burst to snatch the win right on the line.
Al Rayyan finished strongly as well, just a neck behind the runner-up in a breath-taking finish.
AJS Safwan made a powerful return to form in the fourth race, the Local Thoroughbred Handicap, delivering a commanding performance to claim his first win of the season under Jefferson Smith.
In the fifth race, Afandem put his recent efforts behind him and rekindled his winning touch in the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap, breaking from the widest barrier and seizing the lead under Ivan Rossi for trainer Ahmed Kobeissi.
The penultimate race saw The Dunkirk Lads return to winning form with a determined performance in the Thoroughbred Handicap over 1100m. Ridden by Soufiane Saadi, the 6YO gelding showed resilience and speed to secure victory for trainer Hadi Al Ramzani, edging ahead by a quarter of a length from High And Wide with Ethandun staying on for third.
The seven-race card provided racing enthusiasts with nail-biting finishes and commanding victories throughout, making Al Jassasiya Cup Day a true spectacle as the action unfolded at Al Rayyan Racecourse.