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| Staff Writer |
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Medan showed her class when landing the Umm Bab Cup at Qatar's Al Uqda on Thursday evening, providing owner Hassan Al Matwi with a memorable triumph in the 2100m feature contest.
The daughter of Assy displayed a devastating turn of foot under a perfectly-timed ride from Soufiane Saadi, powering clear in the closing stages to score by two and three-quarter lengths.
As the nine-strong field charged out of the stalls, Yaqoob and Alhafar disputed early leadership before Hareeb made significant headway to hit the front passing the 1100m marker. AJS Falak, seeking a third victory of the day in the Al Jeryan silks, threw down a strong challenge in the home straight.
However, Medan, trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, was travelling ominously well in behind and when Saadi pressed the button at the 300m pole, the response was electric. The 6YO mare quickened clear of her rivals to record an impressive success.
The Umm Bab Cup has a rich history of producing high-class winners, with previous victors including last year's Qatar Arabian World Cup hero and multiple Group One scorer Al Ghashamiya.
Earlier, Aafoor maintained his progressive profile when landing the opener, a 2100m Thoroughbred Handicap. The Al Jeryan Stud-owned colt, partnered by Szczepan Mazur for trainer M.H.K Al Attiyah, proved a length and a quarter too strong for Loose Cannon.
Mystical Music produced a well-timed challenge under Alberto Sanna to claim the 2100m Thoroughbred Handicap for trainer Gassim Ghazali, while AJS Kabul completed a fine double for the Al Jeryan team when taking the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap over 1400m.
The presentation ceremony saw Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, crown the successful connections.