The Peninsula
The only overseas runner in the field, Bowerman yesterday landed the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup (QA Gr 2), the feature on the second day of the Amir Sword Festival at Al Rayyan Park.
Starting wide from Gate 13, the Adrian McGuiness-schooled gelding had Ronan Whelan in the saddle in the colours of Total Recall Racing Club, and the duo had to deal with traffic early on. As Whelan settled his mount on the outside on the back straight in the miler, they kept moving up the order, before charging for the finish on the home straight.
Abdulhadi Mana Al Hajri’s Dominus too upped the pace coming off the final bend and the two 5yos were left to sort the affair out in the final 50m, one which the Irish raider won by a neck.
Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Sir Arthur Dayne, saddled Gassim Ghazali, was ridden to third by Maxime Guyon.
Earlier, Abdullah Saeed Abdullah Al Mesnad’s Ghannam (AF AlBahar x Bedur ASF) put up some late speed to good use picking up a surprise win in the Gulf Cup (4 Year Olds & Older For Purebred Arabians Bred in the GCC). While coming off of a promising win in a six furlong handicap, moving up to a mile was a big step up for Wasim Al Sahn’s ward. However, under a beautiful ride by Alberto Sanna, the 5yo tracked leaders Aahil and Barra before going neck and neck 100m out and then kicking up a gear to take the advantage and the win.
Umm Qarn’s Aahil, trained by Alban de Mieulle, was ridden to runner up spot a length behind by Ronan Thomas, while Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin’s Barra, saddled by Hamad Al Jehani, completed the top three under Faleh Bughanaim.
Meanwhile, Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Attiya’s Ateej (AF AlBahar x Sahara Croixnoire) stayed true to his favourite status in the Purebred Arabian Sprint Cup (4YO & older) when the smart veteran won for the third time this season.
In the six furlong sprint, the 8yo had Marco Casamento, who had guided the Gassim Ghazali ward to a Gr3 sprint victory last month, in the saddle. On Thursday in a close finish, the bay horse edged out Alberto Sanna ridden AJS Berline with a quarter of a length to spare.
Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi’s Al Adheed went one better than his last outing to add to a hat-trick of handicap victories earlier in the season. Helmed by Saadi, the 6yo led a one-two for the colours and trainer Bader Al Balushi in the seven furlong Local Thoroughbred Trophy (4yo & older).
Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Luchador, trained by Ghazali and ridden by Julien Auge, bounced back from a forgettable finish last time round to land the Thoroughbreds (Fillies & Mares) (Class 3) in a close finish.
Meanwhile, Al Shaqab Racing’s Lauded raced to his second victory in Qatar in pillar to post victory in the Thoroughbred Plate (3 Year Olds) (Class 4).
Starting wider than most in 13, Thomas had the Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki trained colt move inward into the lead on the rails soon after kicking out of the gates. On the home straight, the 3yo managed to hold on to his advantage as the fast approaching Golden Bear, ridden by Jason Watson, ran out of real estate and settled for runner up spot.
Also yesterday, Umm Qarn’s Bin Al Tair clinched a thrilling win in the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate. , the De Mieulle showed some late kick to go past almost the entire field on the home straight to win the 2000m contest by half-a-length.
Al Jeryan Stud’s Ajs Beirut, trained by Rashid Al Ali and ridden by Sanna, won the C&D Local Purebred Arabian Novice Plate (Fillies & Mares) in the opening race of the second day of the Amir Sword Festival.