Alanoud Al Malki’s AL HARQAH wins Muraikh Cup

Mohamed Saad

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 37th race meeting in the 2021-22 season, Muraikh Cup day, at the Al Rayyan Racecourse turf track on Thursday, 3 March. The final and feature race of the nine-race card, the Muraikh Cup, saw an exciting finish as the Alanoud Khalifa Al Malki-owned and trained AL HARQAH (QA) (Storm Account x Adventuress) came with a surge, under Carlos Henrique, to hold off the charge of WADHAH (QA) by just a neck in the 1400m Conditions for 3YO+ Local Thoroughbred Fillies and Mares. The Saif Rashid Saif Al Khayarin-owned and Bader Al Balushi-trained runner-up was ridden by JP Guillambert. The Sabhea Awad Ibrahim-owned and Mohamed Khaled Elahmed-trained IRTIQAA (QA) (Kendargent) was further three quarters of a length behind in third under Meteb Ali Al-Marri.

Sheikh Faisal Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani presented the trophies to the winners.

HAJAJ

In the penultimate race, the 1600m Handicap (0-100) for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds went to trainer Mohammed Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah and jockey Soufiane Saadi as they teamed up with Al Jeryan Stud’s HAJAJ (IRE) (Dark Angel x And Again), who battled on bravely from the front to hold off the challenge of BALMARI (IRE) by just a neck.

EZZAT NAFS

In the seventh race, Sabhea Awad Ibrahim’s EZZAT NAFS (QA) (AF AlBahar x Bint Al Ajwad) regained winning thread in the 1200m Handicap (0-95) for 4YO+ Local Purebred Arabians. The Mohamed Khaled Elahmed-trained 5YO mare quickened up nicely in the closing stages to draw clear by three-quarters of a length under Eduardo Pedroza, who doubled up on the day.

COCOCABALA

In the sixth race, trainer Tareq Essa Abdulla got his name on the scoresheet in the 1600m Handicap (0-85) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds as his trainee, COCOCABALA (IRE) (Sir Prancealot x Dream Applause), owned by Al Jasra Stud, flew home with a decisive move from the 200m mark to win by three quarters of a length under Ivan Rossi.

COME QUICK

In the fifth race, Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi’s COME QUICK (IRE) (Es Que Love x In Seconds) came really quick in the last stages of the 1000m Handicap (0-75) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds to land the spoils by a length under Eduardo Pedroza for trainer Bader Al Balushi.

AL HASSAAS

Mohammed Rashid Abdullah Al Naimi’s AL HASSAAS (QA) (Dahess x Assana D’aroco) finally struck gold, winning the 1400m Handicap (0-70) for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians. Jockey Faleh Bughanaim gave the Mohammed Nasser Al Naimi’s trainee a great ride to win by a head in the fourth race in the card.

WARSAAN

Trainer Hamad Al Jehani and jockey Lukas Delozier were quickly back to the winners’ enclosure, following their victory in the opener, as they teamed up with the Wadi Al Sail Racing-owned WARSAAN (GB) (Oasis Dream x Tanfidh) to win the 1600m Handicap (0-70) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds by a length in the third race of the day.

HALAWAT AL ROUH

In the second race, Injaaz Stud’s HALAWAT AL ROUH (FR) (Zarak x Centralienne) got off the mark on her fifth career start. The Zuhair Mohsen-trained 3YO filly came with a late surge under Marco Casamento to take the lead and clinch a length victory in the 1600m Novice for 3YO+ Thoroughbred fillies and mares.

POSUELO PY

In a thrilling finish to the opener of the Day, Mohammed Khalifa Thani Al Sowaidi’s POSUELO PY (FR) (AF AlBahar x La Ranna PY) came with a strong run under Lukas Delozier to win the 1600m Maiden for 4YO Purebred Arabians by a quarter of a length for trainer Hamad Al Jehani.

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club