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| Staff Writer |
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Gold Fleece delivered a thrilling victory in the Gr.3 Khor Al Adaid Cup at Al Uqda, securing her first Pattern-race success in dramatic fashion. The nine-year-old mare, trained by Gassim Ghazali, produced a perfectly-timed challenge under Marco Casamento to deny Hamaki by a short head in the 3,000m contest.
The feature race unfolded with Sussex setting the early tempo, tracked by Usak and Local Law. Casamento, positioning Gold Fleece in seventh, bided his time as the field turned for home. Soufiane Saadi made his move aboard Hamaki at the 200m mark, looking momentarily to have stolen the race for Wathnan Racing and trainer Alban Elie De Mieulle. However, Gold Fleece launched a determined challenge on the outside, the pair engaging in an intense battle to the line. Praiano, under Alberto Sanna, finished strongly to take third, two and a quarter lengths behind.
The Thoroughbred Pearl for fillies and mares provided another gripping conclusion, with Julica narrowly prevailing for Wathnan Racing. The four-year-old daughter of Kendargent, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and ridden by Theo Bachelot, completed a quick-fire double for the partnership. Warming set the early fractions under Szczepan Mazur, maintaining her advantage until the closing stages. Julica's well-timed challenge secured victory by the narrowest of margins, with Amalfina, trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki and ridden by Tomas Lukasek, taking third.
Ajlaan chose the perfect moment to shed his maiden tag, landing the Silver Sword Trial with a gutsy front-running display. The 4YO, owned by Khalifa bin Mohamed bin Khalifa Abdullah Al Attiyah, responded gamely to Bachelot's urgings to hold off Kassir De Carrere by a neck. Al Mubhir, trained by Julian Colin Smart under Gavin Matt Ryan, stayed on for third.
In an action-packed supporting card, Ray'q, trained by Rudy Nerbonne, maintained his unbeaten record this season in the Local Purebred Arabian Conditions, holding off Layeq by half a length with Razy a further half-length back in third. Ghanem took the Purebred Arabian Handicap under Lukasek, with Ejaaby and Al Hemroor filling the minor placings.
Selous, trained by Khalid Abdulaziz A A Al-Kuwari, made a winning return in the Thoroughbred Handicap, beating Deep Havana and Glengarra. Dandy Arabian broke his maiden in the Thoroughbred Novice Plate ahead of Shadow Army and Valiant Knight, while the day concluded with Rayyan Bu Thaila making an impressive winning debut for trainer Jihad El Ahmad in the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, with Sidrah and Nice Heart completing the frame.
The winners received their trophies from Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, on a day that showcased the depth of talent in Qatar's racing programme.