Ageless Whitaker guides Argento to superb win

Doha: Celebrated British rider John Whitaker showed no signs of slowing down, guiding Argento to a superbly-run win at Al Shaqab Arena yesterday. Whitaker, one of Britain's finest, topped the 150/155cm class with a slick finish with trusted ride Argento. The win was worth €89,100.

Argento clocked a time of 37.46 seconds, edging Frenchman Maikel van der Vleuten - who was astride VDL Groep Quatro - to second spot.

VDL Groep Quatro earlier had registered the time to beat (37.61 seconds) but Argento galloped with impressive speed to help Whitaker, 61, win the five-star competition. Vleuten won €54,000.

Germany's Daniel Deusser, astride Happiness van T Paradijs, sealed the third spot with a time of 37.86 seconds. Deusser, who won the 145cm class with the same ride on Friday, got richer by €40,500. The Olympic Gold Medallist, Whitaker was thrilled to have emerged with the goods in a tough competition. "He (Argento) did great. I got a flying start. I didn't realize what was happening," he said yesterday.

"Michael shouted from the crowd. I looked at the clock and then I started charging towards the last turn (laughs). But he is quick across the ground. I turned really sharp. I got a good stride.

"Then I did five strides instead of four. I just went ahead. He's loving it. He's fresh. He's a class," he said.

Daniel Bluman (Apardi, 38.57 seconds) and Ludger Beerbaum (Chiara, 38.74 seconds) completed the top five.

Qatari's Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (Imperio Egipcio Milton, 39.38 seconds) and Ali Yousef Al Rumaihi (Gunder, 40.03 seconds) finished in 7th and 9th spots respectively.

Also yesterday, home riders scorched the competition in the 135/140cm class at A Shaqab Arena.

Salman Mohammed Al Emadi, astride Zorro Z, clocked a time of 22.83 seconds to seal the top place worth QR6,600 to the rider.

SIEC Cosmos Wijngaardhoeve Z, with rider Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi in the saddle, finished second in a time of 23.95 seconds. The second place was worth QR 4,000. Sidoline van de Centaur, ridden by Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani, posted a time of 24.47 seconds to claim the third spot worth QR 3,000.

Home rider Nasser Al Ghazali, astride Delloren (24.76 seconds) finished fourth in a time of 24.76 seconds.

Earlier in the 120/125cm class, Saudi rider Abdullah Alrajhi yesterday guided H Zoe to an impressive win against a strong field at Al Shaqab Arena. H Zoe clocked a time of 22.61 seconds as Alrajhi picked up the top prize of QR 4950. 

Qatar's Ahmed Mohammed Al Badi, astride Latino 291, finished in second spot (23.29 seconds). Al Badi won        QR 3,000 in the two-phase competition.

Home rider Hamad Nasser Al Qadi, saddled on St Lucia, grabbed the third spot (24.42 seconds). 
Al Qadi won QR 2,250 for his efforts. Qatari duo of Salem Rashid Al Marri (Marfurlong Magic, 24.91 seconds) and Abdullah Ali Al Ajeil (Goldan, 27.66 seconds) completed the top five riders.