The Peninsula
Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi-owned Ernest Aldrich, with JP Guillambert in the saddle, clinched the Qatar Cup title last night as jockey Marco Casamento also sparkled with a hat-trick of victories in an exciting fifth race meeting at the Al Rayyan Racecourse.
A fabulous win in the feature race by Ernest Aldrich also ensured a 1-2 for trainer Bader Al Balushi as Jewel House – ridden by Alberto Sanna – finished runners-up in the race. Gassim Ghazali-trained Burano Boy – helmed by Soufiane Saadi – took third position.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, Qatar Racing Equestrian Club (QREC) Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winners of Qatar Cup. The winners of the QR100,000 race pocketed QR57,000 with the runners-up collecting QR22,000.
Meanwhile, Casamento completed his hat-trick yesterday, riding Roman Melody to triumph in Thoroughbred Handicap.
The 1½-length victory also secured third win for owner Injaaz Stud and second for trainer Jassim Ghazali.
Wemyss Ware was victorious in the Thoroughbred Novice Plate (Class 5) in yesterday’s second win for Casamento. The five-year-old gelding, trained by Jassim Ghazali, recorded a neck win as Injaaz Stud bagged another title.
Earlier, Casamento guided Thamina to first place in Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (Fillies & Mares) for his opening title of the day.
Also yesterday, Tilaawah raced to a half length win in Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 3), giving trainer Hamad Al Jehani his second success yesterday. Lukas Delozier rode the three-year-old colt, owned by Onaiza Racing.
In the Purebred Arabian Handicap, Abdullah Bin Fahad Al Attiyah’s Stilvio registered a head win to corner the Purebred Arabian Handicap crown. Mohammed Ghazali’s ward was ridden by Qais Al Busaidi.
Earlier, Qoot, with Saadi in the saddle, was the winner in Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, while Tamih claimed the Purebred Arabian Novice Plate victory with jockey Pranil Arvind Kharat.
WINNERS
(Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
1 - Qatar Cup - Thoroughbred Conditions (Class 2)
Ernest Aldrich, Bader Al Balushi, JP Guillambert
2 - Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 3)
Tilaawah (GB), Hamad Al Jehani, Lukas Delozier
3 - Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 4)
Roman Melody, Gassim Ghazali, Marco Casamento
4 - Purebred Arabian Handicap
Stilvio (FR), Mohammed Ghazali, Qais Al Busaidi
5 - Thoroughbred Novice Plate (Class 5)
Wemyss Ware (IRE), Gassim Ghazali, Marco Casamento
6 - Purebred Arabian Novice Plate
Tamih (FR), Eng. Mohamed Rashid Seif Al Kuwari, Pranil Arvind Kharat
7 - Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (Fillies & Mares)
Thamina, Ali Yousuf Al Kubaisi, Marco Casamento
8 - Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate
Qoot, Hamad Al Jehani, Soufiane Saadi