Mohamed Saad
The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the first race meeting of the 2022-23 Al Uqda season on Saturday, 19 November. The seven races of the day were run on the turf track and the seventh and feature race was the Swayya Cup, a Handicap (60-80), for 4YO+ Local Purebred Arabians and was won in brilliant style by The Khadija Mohammed Al Bastaki-owned Dalilak (QA) (Dahess x Amsara D’Aroco). The Jabor Nasser Al Naimi-trained 6YO had his rivals in a spin by the end of the 1400m contest as he bolted up by 3½ lengths under jockey Giuseppe Cultraro. The Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalid Bin Nasser Al Thani -owned and Gassim Ghazali-trained Hazm Al Sulaimi (QA) (T M Fred Texas) finished second under Marco Casamento and was only a neck ahead of the Hassan Bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi-owned and trained Raqee (QA) (Mared Al Sahra), who was ridden by Jefferson Smith.
Following the feature race, Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winners.
AJS Ababeel
The day kicked off with Al Jeryan Stud’s homebred AJS Ababeel (FR) (AF AlBahar x Tidjani) winning the season’s first race at Al Uqda as the 4YO filly was steered by jockey Meteb Ali Al Saaq to top a 1400m Maiden for 3-6YO Purebred Arabians by a length for trainer Rashid Al Ali.
Tafaahum
In the second race, the Injaaz Stud-owned Tafaahum (QA) (Rio de La Plata x Khaizarana) doubled his tally on the same course and distance where he got off the mark last year. Under Jefferson Smith, the Zuhair Mohsen-trained 5YO hit the front entering the home stretch and fought off the challenge of Del Piero (QA) (Atlantic Air) to win a 1400m Handicap (0-75) for 3YO+ Local Thoroughbreds by a neck.
Geno
There was another thrilling finish in the third race, a 1400m Handicap (0-70) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds as the Nasser Owaida Salem Al Hajri-owned and Owaida Salem Al Hajri-trained Geno (IRE) (Holy Roman Emperor x Abama Lady), with Abdulla Rashid Al Hajri in the saddle, got the better of Expect To Succeed (IRE) (Exceed And Excel) by a short head.
Almoshahar
The fourth race, a 2100m Handicap (0-70) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds saw the Tameem Sultan Ghanim Al Hodaifi Al Kuwari-owned and Gassim Ghazali-trained Almoshahar (IRE) (Invincible Spirit x Rihaam) land the spoils under a fine ride from Marco Casamento. The 4YO gelding seemed to appreciate the longer trip this time as he swooped to win by half a length.
Akmar
There was one more very close finish in the fifth race, a 2100m Handicap (0-80) for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians as Akmar (FR) (No Risk Al Maury x Safa) and Huit De Faust (FR) (AF AlBahar) battled it out in the closing stages, but it was the former who prevailed by a neck for owner Mohammed Nasser Al Naimi, trainer Hadi Al Ramzani and jockey Soufiane Saadi.
Amenable
In the penultimate race of the day, the Nasser Saeed Al Eida-owned Amenable (USA) (Mizzen Mast x Kittitian) went one better than when she was last seen as the 7YO mare stretched 1½ lengths clear at the line, winning a 1400m Handicap (65-85) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds, completing a double on the day for trainer Gassim Ghazali and jockey Marco Casamento.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club