Dhi Qar lands Al Beshairiya Cup for Al Zaeem Stud and Al Saaq wins his first title this season

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the seventh race meeting in the 2022-23 season at the Al Rayyan Racecourse dirt track on Wednesday, 2 November. Al Zaeem Stud’s Dhi Qar (FR) (Kasih x Kabara), on seasonal debut, lands Al Beshairiya Cup having prevailed by almost 5 lengths in the 1900m Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden for 4-6YOs. The Abdallah Said Al Balushi-trained 6YO was ridden to success by Rashid Ali Al Saaq, who completed a double on the day.

The feature race was a Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden for 4-6YOs. The 1900m race had a big field of 15 runners with the eventual winner drawn wide in barrier 14. It was A’Them Bahar (FR) (AF AlBahar), who took the lead first while Dhi Qar was kept at the rear of the pack in the early stages. Just before the first bend, Monsieur One (FR) (Mister Ginoux) took the lead with A’Them Bahar (FR) (AF AlBahar) at his heels and Nahaab (FR) (Mahabb) was following the duo in front. At the second bend, Dhi Qar started to make his move and progressed well from outside. In the meantime, Tnbek (FR) (Mister Ginoux) came from behind to announce his challenge and was in third place with Dhi Qar just behind him in fourth. After the final bend and 400m before the finish line, it seemed that contesting would be limited to the trio in front as quite well behind. However, Dhi Qar turned things upside down as he found extra energy in the last 300m and he did manage to take the lead at the 200m mark with a nice turn of foot and once there, he swept to cross the finish line and put the race to bed by impressive 4¾ lengths. The Ahmed Kobeissi-owned and trained Tnbek finished second under Pranil Arvind with the Noora Racing Limited-owned and Hamad Al Jehani-trained Monsieur One further 4 lengths back in third under Szczepan Mazur.

Following the feature race, QREC Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubais presented the trophies to the winners.

Straight Way

Earlier the day began with a tight finish in a Maiden for 3-6YO Local Thoroughbreds over 1700m as Ali Bin Saeed Aljafali Al Nuaimi’s homebred Straight Way (QA) (Domestic Fund x Ishra) got the better of Kareema (QA) (Toast of New York) for trainer Ahmed Kobeissi, edging ahead by a neck under the drive of jockey Pranil Arvind.

Eledeed

The Handicap for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds rated 45-65 over 1700m saw an incredible performance from Hamad Salem Al Marri’s Eledeed (GB) (Al Kazeem x Resort) as the 7YO broke his maiden tag, bolting amazing 13 lengths, the widest on the day, clear of the field under jockey Saleh Salem Al Marri for trainer Ali Al Saaq in the second race.

Zazoom

Skyhigh Racing’s Zazoom (QA) (Mahabb x Raheel ASF) was an impressive winner of the third race, a 1700m Handicap for 3YO+ Local Purebred Arabians rated 0-70 for trainer Hamad Al Jehani, pulling 4 lengths clear of the field at the line under Arnaud De Lepine’s ride.

Three Diamonds

In the fourth race, Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani’s Three Diamonds (GB) (Night of Thunder x L’Eglise) on 4th career start and Qatar debut opened his account with an impressive 3¾-length win in a 1900m Handicap (0-80) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds. Rashid Ali Al Saaq rode the 3YO gelding to give trainer Hamad Al Jehani a quick-fire double on the day.

Midrass

The Ghazwan Racing-owned Midrass (FR) (Amer x Melusinne) scored a cosy 1¾ length win in the fifth race. The Hadi Al Ramzani-trained 6YO was ridden by Prakash Akhade in the 1200 Handicap (0-85) for 3YO+ Purebred Arabians.

AJS Al Aredh

Al Ghazali Stud’s AJS Al Aredh (QA) (Majd Al Arab x Karreema) was another impressive winner of the day as the Gassim Ghazali-trained 7YO hacked up by 6¼ lengths in the penultimate race, a 1200m Handicap (85-105) for 3YO+ Purebred Arabians under jockey Marco Casamento.

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club