ABU SAMRAH Shines on Al Britha Cup Day

Doha, March 28 (QNA) - After being well held in last couple of outings on turf, Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari's ABU SAMRAH (Zafeen x Starks) bounced back with his second victory of the season, topping the AL BRITHA CUP for LOCAL THOROUGHBREDS on turf at Al Rayyan Park on Thursday. The 6yo was the second winner on the day for Champion Trainer Jassim Mohamed Ghazali, and third for jockey Harry Bentley. In the 1850m run, the colt finished one and a half lengths ahead of Ivan Rossi ridden SRAAB (High Chaparral x Marie Dora) for a comfortable finish, while Eduardo Pedroza guided NAHAAB (Zoffany x On Duty) to a third-place finish. Mohammed Jassim Ghazali Jahromi trained NOBLE MASTERPIECE (Dutch Art x Elysian) went one better over C&D to pick up his second victory this season. In the penultimate race of the day, Harry Bentley, riding in the colours of Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari, put up a fantastic ride astride his 5yo mount as the duo topped the seven-furlong THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 4) (70-90) with two lengths and a quarter to spare. Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari's TREMENDOUS LEAP (Shamardal x Chili Dip) had made an impressive debut in Doha two weeks ago with a runner up finish over course and distance handicap. On Thursday, the Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi trained gelding had champion jockey Harry Bentley in the saddle for the 2000m THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 4) (85 & below), and two raced to a comfortable victory with a length and three quarters to spare. It was the 4yo's first career victory. Abdullah Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber's QATAR WEAVE (Soldier of Fortune x Mosogna Moon) had gone 16 races without notching a victory, and recent finishes had done little to suggest a different result on Thursday. But the 5yo colt put up a determined run under Jimmy Quinn edging out Harry Bentley ridden Sir Commander and Marco Casamento helmed Saakhen in a blanket finish in the six-furlong THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 4) (80 & below). BIN GENERAL (General x Noorah) was the second straight winner on the day for the famous Umm Qarn colours and trainer Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, as the 4yo too raced to his second consecutive victory staying unbeaten in his short career so far. Ronan Thomas was in the saddle of the winner once again as the duo beat Osama Omer Al Dafea's Evolution Du Croate by a half a length in the 2000m PUREBRED ARABIAN GRADUATION PLATE. Umm Qarn's MEHDI (Majd Al Arab x Jaljalah) has only improved since his debut last month and as the distances have gone longer. On Thursday, with Ronan Thomas in the saddle for the Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle's charge, the 4yo led a one two for the owner and the trainer, edging out stablemate Aaila, ridden by Jimmy Quinn, by a head at the post in the 2200m LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE Moving up in distance has worked well for Mohammed Nasser Al Naimi's FERRO GRANDE (Sommerabend x Marisa Merz) with the gelding improving well over a mile. After a top five finish in his first miler a week ago, the 3yo moved into the winner's circle for the first time in his career when Tomas Lukasek helmed him for a thrilling half a length victory in the THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE (3 Year Olds) (Class 6). Deborah Amanda Clare Mountain trained IBN ELMALIK (King of Westphalia x Metroland) had mixed runs over C&D this season, best of which was a fourth place on his last outing. On Thursday, in the mile-long LOCAL THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE, the 6yo was impressive under Ivan Rossi as Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik owned gelding picked up a three and a half-length victory, shedding his maiden status in his sixth race. (QNA)