The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the fourth race meeting in the 2021-22 season at the Uqda Racecourse dirt track on Saturday, 4 December. The six-race card day was wrapped up with the feature event, Ras Al Noof Cup, a Local Thoroughbreds for three-year-olds and older. Sabhea Awad Ibrahim’s DHERGHAM BU THAILA (QA) (Soviet Secret x Dualite) led from start to finish to claim the 1300-metre contest for trainer Mohamed Khaled Elahmed. Alberto Sanna was the man who gave the six-year-old gelding a confident ride to win by impressive four lengths. The Abdulatif Hussain M Z Al-Emadi-trained and Bader Al Balushi-trained Bab Al Rayyan (QA) (Mayson) finished second under Eduardo Pedroza two lengths in front of the Al Sakab Stud-owned and Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki-trained Al Faisaliya (QA) (Coach House).
It was Dhergham Bu Thaila’s first appearance this season. It could be a bit late, but surely it was a perfect one and came to continue the good form he showed as he ended his campaign last season when he also won a feature race, Al Dibal Cup, on dirt and on a similar distance of 1200 metres. In other words, picked up where he left off the previous season and improved his record to five victories in 19 career-starts.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, crowned the winners after the final race of the day.
BATTASH DE FAUST
In the penultimate race, Abdulla Bin Mohammed Al Attiya’s BATTASH DE FAUST (FR) (AF AlBahar x Ayisha De Faust) won the Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-105) for three-year-olds and older in comprehensive fashion for trainer Ahmed Kobeissi, going two and a half lengths clear in the 1300-metre race, completing a quick-fire double for jockey Tomas Lukasek. AJS Berline (QA) (AF AlBahar) and Tamih (FR) (Majd Al Arab) completed the frame.
FIEROSPEED
In the fifth race in the card, Jassim Bin Ali Al Attiyah’s FIEROSPEED (IRE) (Zoffany x Stor Mo Chroi), ridden by Tomas Lukasek, won the 2000-metre Thoroughbred Handicap (0-85) for three-year-olds and older, eventually edging his nearest rival by half a length for trainer Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki Myboyhenry (IRE) (Footstepsinthesand) and Mahthouf (IRE) (Zoffany) finished second and third respectively.
BAKIR
Umm Qarn’s homebred BAKIR (QA) (Amer x Zabieh) gave an impressive performance in the 2000m Local Purebred Arabian Novice Plate for three-year-olds and older as he came with a late charge, under Ronan Thomas, to stretch nicely clear in the final stages and win by two and a half lengths for trainer Alban de Mieulle. Moneeaty (QA) (Asraa Min Albarq) and AJS Al Mared (QA) (AF AlBahar ) were the nearest to the winner in this order.
ALGRAIN gives Bughanaim 100th win in Qatar
In the second race of the day, Faleh Bughanaim rode his 100th winner in Qatar when Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred ALGRAIN (FR) (Dahess x Bise Al Maury) wins the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, a contest for three-to-six-year-olds, for trainer Eric Lemartinel. The talented Qatari jockey piloted the four-year-old colt to gallantly take the 2000 race by a quarter of a length. Khattab De Faust (FR) (Mared Al Sahra) was the runner-up and was followed by Omran (QA) (Al Bashtoon)
SWAGGER
Earlier on the day, the meeting opened with Hassan Ahmad AL Hammadi’s SWAGGER (IRE) (Pearl Secret x Ermine And Velvet) finishing stronger than all the others in the 1300-metre Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for three-to-six-year-olds, with David Allan driving the three-year-old colt home to a head victory for trainer Jassim Ghazali. Caidok (IRE) (Kodiac) and Lahessar (GB) (Exceed and Excel) took the minor honours.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club