'Raqee' Secure First Place in the 28th Horse Race this Season

Doha, February 14 (QNA) - HE Mohammed bin Hamoud Al Shafi, Chairman of Municipal Council, crowned the winners of the Late Rashid Mubarak Al Shafi Cup race meeting held on dirt at QREC Al Rayyan Park on Thursday, 14 February 2019. Present during the trophy presentation were the brothers and sons of the late Rashid Mubarak Al Shafi as well as Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager. Brushing aside a dip in the mile-long Trial earlier this month, Hassan Ali Hassan Al Matwis RAQEE (Mared Al Sahra x Cath) was back in the winner’s circle adding to his C and D victory last month. On Thursday, in the six-furlong The Late Rashid Mubarak Al Shafi Cup (4yo and older PA), at the dirt track at Al Rayyan Park, the 5yo was once again partnered by Saleem Golam, and the duo did well to win a duel with the Mohammed Ali Yousef Al Sheeb-trained KASSER (AF Albahar x Wujdan), ridden by Stephan Ladjadj, by a quarter of a length. Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromis ward, RASSAN (Amer x Sandytiki), completed the top three under Theo Bachelot. MURAQABAH (Great Journey x Magic Kaldoun) led a one-two for trainer Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi and owner Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari in the penultimate race of the day. In the six-furlong LOCAL THOROUGHBRED CONDITIONS, the Theo Bachelot-ridden mare, who had a C&D victory in January, edged out stablemate Mosayter, helmed by JP Guillambert, by a short head at the post. Qatari apprentice rider Rashid Ali Al Marri notched his second victory of the day with the Abdullatif Saad Al Muslamani-trained ESKANDER YAR (Jaafer ASF x Marwa Bint Oseilah). In a fantastic ride over six furlongs in the LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP (85 and below), Al Marri and his ride won by one and a quarter lengths for a fine win. For the second straight race on the day, a Qatari rider helmed the winner when Faleh Bughanaim guided the Hadi Nasser Rashid Al Ramzani-trained ELLIANKA (Majd Al Arab x Billou Al Maury) to a thrilling victory in the PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP (75 & below). In the 1700m run, Bughanaim, riding in the colours of Mohanad Jassim Al Yaqout, guided the filly to her second career victory, having earlier guided the 5yo to her maiden victory in December over a mile. Rashid Ali Al Marri continued with his impressive momentum this season when the apprentice rider saddled a winner in the THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 5) (Qatari Riders Only) (70 and below). In the six-furlong sprint, Al Marri was in the saddle for the Salem Fadgham Al Hajri-schooled ACCLAIMED DANCER (Acclamation x Belly Dancer). At the post, the 5yo colt beat the competition by half a length for his first ever victory on his 21st attempt. Mohamed Khaled Elahmeds ward, THE SHARK (Calimonco x Cool Haleigh), broke into the frame for the first time this season after two winless seasons. On Thursday, around the dirt track at the Al Rayyan Park, the 5yo, owned by Fahad Bin Rashid Bin Saif Al Khayarin, also registered his maiden victory when Ryan Curatolo helmed the colt to a close half a length victory in the 1700m LOCAL THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE (4-6yo). Al Jasra Studs ISKANDAR (TM Fred Texas x La Maha) had done little to impress in his first two outings, but all that changed on Thursday when the Tareq Essa Abdulla-trained colt registered his first career victory. With Ivan Rossi in the saddle, the 4yo edged out the Marco Casamento-ridden Jalal and the Jimmy Quinn-helmed Diyala in a thrilling finish at the post, topping the 1700m LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE (4-6yo). (QNA)