The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 14th race meeting in the 2022-23 season calendar of the Al Uqda Racecourse on Saturday, 4 February. The seven-race card day was run on turf. Ghazwan Racing’s Midrass (FR) (Amer x Melusinne) proved the best in the final and feature race in the card, registering a quick-fire double for jockey Soufiane Saadi. The 7YO extended well and won the 1400m Handicap (65-85) for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians cosily by a length and a half to land the Mesaieed Cup for trainer Hadi Al Ramzani. The Mohammed Bin Fahad Al Attiya-owned and Mohammed Ghazali-trained Broog (FR) (AF AlBahar) was the runner-up under jockey Lukas Delozier. The Hassan Bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi-owned and trained AJS Al Moheeb (QA) (Amer) was a further half length behind in third under jockey Pranil Arvind.
Abdulaziz Jassim Al Boenain, Al Uqda Complex Department Manager, presented the trophies to the winners.
Observing
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Salman Al Thani’s Observing (IRE) (Footstepsinthesand x Myrtie) kicked off the Mesaieed Cup Day making a winning Qatar debut in the 2100m Maiden for 4-6YO Thoroughbreds. Ridden by Marco Casamento for trainer Gassim Ghazali, the 4YO made it past the post comfortably, winning by two lengths and a half.
Muna
The 1400m Maiden for 4-6YO Purebred Arabians saw Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred 4YO Muna (FR) (TM Fred Texas x Menwa) take the spoils in the second race by three and a half lengths for trainer Eric Lemartinel in an impressive performance under jockey Faleh Bughanaim.
King Of Ice
Mohammed Abdulhadi Al Hajri’s King Of Ice (GB) (Ulysses x Queen Of Ice) took the third race, the 1400m Handicap (55-75) for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds, by three quarters of a length for trainer Dr. Fahad Salman Al Hajri as the 4YO broke his maiden tag with Ronan Thomas in the saddle.
Ikef De Bozouls
Jockey Marco Casamento completed a double on the day in the fourth race as he rode the Triple Two Racing-owned Ikef De Bozouls (FR) (No Risk Al Maury x Mesk De Bozouls) to win the 2100m Handicap (0-85) for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians by a length for trainer Mohammed Ghazali.
Hallab
Sheikh Faisal Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani’s homebred Hallab (QA) (Trade Storm x Neutron Bomb) came out on top in the fifth race, the 1200m Conditions for 4YO+ Local Thoroughbreds, as jockey Alberto Sanna, with a fantastic ride, guided the Mohamed Khaled Elahmed-trained 4YO to pip Al Gamamah (QA) (Trade Storm) by a head.
Thunder Cat
In the sixth race, Khalid Bin Ghanem Al Kuwari’s Thunder Cat (GB) (Roaring Lion x Rich Legacy) remained unbeaten in 2003 with a second victory in a row in the Handicap (0-90) for 3YO Thoroughbreds. Zuhair Mohsen’s trainee was partnered by Soufiane Saadi to a half-length win in the 1400m race.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club