Mohamed Saad
The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 15th race meeting in the 2021-22 season at the Al Rayyan Racecourse sand track on Wednesday, 1 December. The eighth and feature event was the Rowdat Rashid for three-year-old Thoroughbreds. It was Al Thumama Racing’s X FORCE (IRE) (Bungle Inthejungle x Nafa) who landed the spoils in the 1200m contest for his trainer Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki had a superb day with his hat-trick brought up in the feature. Under a brilliant ride by Tomas Lukasek, it was the four-year-gold gelding’s turn of foot that won him the final race of the day, speeding past his rivals to win by impressive 5¾ lengths; a margin which tells how he dominated the race. Tilaawah (GB) (Showcasing), in the colours of Onaiza Racing, finished second under Lukas Delozier for trainer Hamad Al Jehani who saddled the third placed as well as his ward the Mohammed Abdulhadi S Al-Hajri’s Stylish Performer (IRE) (Dandy Man) was the nearest to the runner-up, finishing two further lengths under JP Guillambert.
It was X FORCE’s first appearance this season, which might be a bit late, but he continued the good efforts he showed last season. He simply picked up where he left off the previous season when he concluded his campaign with a victory on the same course and distance and was placed several times earlier. With this win under his belt, X FORCE boosted his strike rate to 9 wins in 20 career-starts.
H.E. Mr Saqr Bin Fahad Al Muraikhi presented the trophies to the winners.
KEEL BAY
In the penultimate race of the evening, Jassim Bin Ali Al Attiyah’s KEEL BAY (IRE) (Starspangledbanner x Slieve) won the 1100m Thoroughbred Plate for two-year-olds. It was the second win of the day for the trainer-jockey duo Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki and Trevor Patel as the filly bolted down the home straight to win by cosy 2½ lengths. In doing so, KEEL BAY has made a brilliant start to her life in Qatar. She had five outings in Europe and was placed in three of them, which demonstrates the rise in the curve of her performance and suggests that she has more to offer Hi Meh Darling (IRE) (Holy Roman Emperor) and Ridicule (IRE) (Dandy Man) completed the frame.
DOHA INCANTO
Fahad Rashid Al Hajri’s DOHA INCANTO (NZ) (Per Incanto x La Serenissime), following two runner-up finishes, went one better in the Thoroughbred Handicap (0-90) for three-year-olds and older. Trainer Owaida Salem Al Hajri and jockey Meteb Ali Al Saaq teamed up for success in the 1200m contest. Return To Senders (IRE) (Sir Prancealot) and I Am Thunder (IRE) (Night Of Thunder) finished second and third respectively.
NAKHEEL
Al Hajaj Stud’s NAKHEEL (FR) (General x Sarahmina) regained winning ways quickly as Alberto Sanna rode him to an impressive 3¾-length win in the 1900m Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-90) for three-year-olds and older, chalking up trainer Jassim Ghazali a second win on the day. the four-year-old colt looks very promising, especially as it is still early days for him. He has had only nine runs and all of them have been this year. That was his second win and he was placed in all other seven. Majd’or (FR) (Majd Al Arab) was the runner-up 10 lengths in front of AJS Al Aredh (QA) (Majd Al Arab)
SELECTED
In the fourth race in the card, Mohammed Abdulhadi Saad Al Hajri’s SELECTED (IRE) (Mehmas x Sodashy) ran out a very good 2¾ length winner for trainer Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki in the 1200m Thoroughbred Handicap (0-80) for three-year-olds and older after streaking to the front under Trevor Patel. It was the three-year-old gelding’s second start in Qatar and he finished fifth among 13 runners in his Qatar debut. It seems he got familiar quickly with the surroundings here and he looks like one who will offer more. He had had eight starts overseas and was placed in seven of them. Lo De Nalane (IRE) (Pivotal) and Shellbrook (GB) (Shamardal) took the minor honours.
NOBLE ANCESTRY
Mansoor Ebrahim Al Mahmoud’s NOBLE ANCESTRY (GB) (Dubawi x Joys Of Spring), having finished placed in his last three starts won the 1700m Thoroughbred Handicap (0-75) for three-year-olds and older, under Abdulaziz Jaber Dharman for trainer Jassim Ghazali who saddled a one-two with Hafez (IRE) (Dark Angel) finishing 1½ lengths behind in second. Wakeel (IRE) (Dark Angel) was third. NOBLE ANCESTRY has been having a good start this season. The five-year-old gelding has had six starts this term and he was placed three times in a row and had this won in the fourth.
BIN MAJD AL ARAB
In the second race, Faraj Saleh Al Otaibi’s BIN MAJD AL ARAB (FR) (Majd Al Arab x Altesse D’Aroco) got off the mark staying on strongly under Saleh Salem Al Marri for trainer Eng. Mohamed Rashid Seif Al Kuwari in the closing stages of the 1700m Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-75) for three-year-olds and older, coming out on top by 1¾ lengths at the line. It was the sixth career-start for six-year-old horse. Anees (FR) (Jaafer ASF) and Tayeel (FR) (Mared Al Sahra) completed the frame.
DEL PIERO
Noora Racing Limited’s DEL PIERO (QA) (Atlantic Air x Thamara) was the first winner of the day. Ridden by Szczepan Mazur, the three-year-old gelding broke his maiden tag in good style in the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate when cruising to a three-length victory for trainer Mohamed Khaled Elahmed who saddled a one-two with USHAYQER (QA) (Abide With Me) finishing runner-up in front of AL Wafiah (QA) (Taigan). This could be the real start of DEL PIERO, who has had been tested in only five starts so far. In addition to this win, he was placed twice in four starts this season.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club