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| Staff Writer |
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Billboard Star produced a gutsy late surge to land the feature Ain Khaled Cup in a thrilling climax to the penultimate meeting of the 2024/2025 Qatar racing season at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Wednesday.
The bay gelding, owned by Nasser Saif A R Al-Kubaisi and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, tracked the pacesetter closely before digging deep in the final strides under Soufiane Saadi to secure the 1200m contest for 3YO Thoroughbreds, completing a double on the evening for both trainer and jockey.
Breaking sharply from stall 11, Billboard Star quickly moved forward to track Weissmuller, who set strong fractions under Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi. Curzon settled in third as the leading trio-controlled proceedings throughout.
Rounding the home turn, Weissmuller appeared to have done enough, showing real grit at the head of affairs. However, inside the final 200m, Billboard Star found an extra gear, surging past Weissmuller in the dying strides to win by half a length.
Weissmuller, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani for owner Yousef Ali Y A Al Rumaihi, held on for second, while Curzon finished a further one and three-quarter lengths behind in third, providing Al Ghazali with another frame finish.
Alberto Sanna enjoyed a productive evening, riding a treble courtesy of Silencer, Rayyan Bu Thaila and Al Mutaghatris.
Silencer, a 5YO gelding trained by Jihad El Ahmad, made all the running in the Class 5 Thoroughbred Handicap over 1200m. Breaking smartly from stall 7, Silencer immediately took control, setting the pace from Mojandil, Hackman and Far Shot. The son of Kessaar held off late challenges from Noble Patron and Loaded Gun to secure his third career success.
Rayyan Bu Thaila delivered a commanding performance in the Class 5 Local Thoroughbred Novice Plate over 1900m. The 4YO, representing Injaaz Stud, tracked the early pace set by Mabsam and Saida before producing a sharp turn of foot to surge clear for a decisive two-length victory over Madinat Bu Thaila.
Completing Sanna's treble was Al Mutaghatris, who produced the most eye-catching performance of the evening in the Class 4 Local Purebred Arabian Handicap. Trained by Julian Smart for owner Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, the 5YO was settled near the rear as Alouqa dictated proceedings upfront.
Turning for home, Al Mutaghatris was still with plenty to do as Burkan Zakhir and Al-Yaseen Zakhir battled for supremacy. However, once unleashed down the centre of the track, Al Mutaghatris delivered a devastating burst of acceleration to sweep past his rivals and win by two lengths.
The penultimate race saw Thor's Hammer return to winning ways with a perfectly-timed challenge in the Class 3 Thoroughbred Handicap over 1900m.
The 4YO son of Night Of Thunder, carrying the colours of Al Ghazali Stud and trained by Nasser Ghazali, was positioned handily throughout by Saadi as Coco Jack attempted to make all. In a determined drive to the line, Thor's Hammer found an extra gear when it mattered, edging ahead in the final metres to win by half a length. Foehn, who had been tucked away near the rear before making smooth headway, stayed on for third.
Earlier, Funny Bunny bolted up in the opening Thoroughbred Handicap over 1900m, scoring by an emphatic five and a quarter lengths under Trevor Patel for owner-trainer Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki. The 4YO tracked the early pace set by Dawn Vega, Make Love and Zucchini before surging clear. Vaha claimed second with Fantastic Deal in third.
HM Zabraj completed a treble on the season when taking the Purebred Arabian Handicap over 1900m under Marco Casamento for Al Ghazali Stud and trainer Nasser Ghazali. Settled in midfield as Hdeedan, Aaneef Zakhir, Lavinia De Carrere and Star One contested the early pace, the 5YO produced a decisive late charge to edge out Hardan by a quarter length, with Star One half a length away in third. RB Hot Mess also made a strong move but couldn't sustain his challenge.
The most dominant performance came from Al Ghassam La Gloire, who demolished his rivals by seven and a half lengths in the Purebred Arabian Novice Plate over 1200m. Breaking from barrier 7, the son of AF AlBahar settled just behind early leaders Marnan and Damaah before Al Eraq and Lattam Al Shajah contested the lead approaching the turn.
The 4YO colt, representing Sheikh Ali bin Mohamed F N Al-Thani, had shown promise with three placed efforts previously but left those firmly behind with an explosive display under Casamento, powering clear of Za'eer Al Shahania in second with Damaah in third.
With the Qatar racing season drawing to a close tomorrow, the Ain Khaled Cup meeting provided a fitting penultimate chapter to what has been a competitive campaign at Al Rayyan.