The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 29th race meeting in the 2022-23 season, Al Kharrara Cup Day, at the Al Rayyan Racecourse sand track on Wednesday, 18th January. In the seven-race day’s feature contest, Al Kharrara Cup, the Ahmad Mubarak Al Kuwari-owned Tamih (FR) (Majd Al Arab x Tarabulus Al Wasmiya) just prevailed over Shgarde (USA) (AF AlBahar) in a pulsating finish to the 1200m Conditions for four-year-old and older Purebred Arabians. The Zuhair Mohsen-trained seven-year-old kept the challenge of his rival in the closing stages to win by a short head under a fantastic ride from JP Guillambert. The Sharida Bin Nasser Bin Sharida Al Kaabi-owned and Mohamed Khaled Elahmed-trained Shgarde continued his good performances under his regular jockey Alberto Sanna and was so close to boost his tally with a second straight win. The Sabhea Awad Ibrahim-owned and Mohamed Khaled Elahmed-trained Ezzat Nafs (QA) (AF AlBahar) was a length and three quarters behind in third under jockey Hugo Besnier.
Abdulaziz Jassim Al Boenain, Al Uqda Complex Manager, crowned the winners.
AJS Saddam
AJS Saddam (QA) (AF AlBahar x Sahab Al Zaeem) gave owner Ghazwan Racing, trainer Hadi Al Ramzani and jockey Ebrahim Nader a flying start to the Al Kharrara Cup meeting as he shot clear in the home straight to win the opener, 1200m Maiden for 4-6YO Purebred Arabians by three lengths.
Swagger
The Hassan Ahmad AL Hammadi-owned Swagger (IRE) (Pearl Secret x Ermine And Velvet) scored an easy win in the second race, the 1100m Novice for three-year-old and older Thoroughbreds. Ridden by jockey Marco Casamento, the Gassim Ghazali-trained 5YO skipped clear of his rivals to win by three lengths and a quarter.
Alwaad
Having finished second last time, the Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi-owned Alwaad (QA) (Trade Storm x Farendole) got off the mark this time around with an easy one and a half-length win in the third race, the1900m Novice for four-year-old and older Local Thoroughbreds under jockey Soufiane Saadi for trainer Bader Al Balushi.
Venedegar
In an exciting finish to the fourth race, the Al Ghazali Stud-owned Venedegar (IRE) (Dubawi x Cara Fantasy) came all the way from outside to get involved in a head-to-head battle with South Audley (GB) (Aclaim) and eventually prevail by the smallest of margins, a nose, in the 1900m Handicap (75-95) for four-year-old and older Thoroughbreds, completing a double on the day for trainer Gassim Ghazali and jockey Marco Casamento.
Cei Connah
The Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik-owned Cei Connah (IRE) (El Kabeir x Areyaam Rose) picked up his second win in a row, as the Debbie Mountain-trained four-year-old gelding took the fifth race, the 1700m Handicap (0-75) for three-year-old and older Thoroughbreds, by a length and a half with Pranil Arvind in the saddle.
Anhaar
The 1200m Handicap (0-70) for three-year-old and older Thoroughbreds saw a quick-fire double for trainer Debbie Mountain and the colours of Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik with Anhaar (GB) (Exceed And Excel x Shaaqaaf) coming through with a rattle in the final furlong of the penultimate race in the card to win by two lengths under Jefferson Smith.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club