Sami Jassim Al Boenain (fourth right), Qatar Racing and Equestian Club (QREC) General Manager is seen with winners and officials at QREC racing premises in Doha yesterday. PICTURES BY: JUHAIM
DOHA: Jockey R Mullen lived up to his high billing by guiding Harraan to Al Hamla Cup win as Jassim Ghazali-trained horses nailed three wins at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) yesterday.
Harraan easily put the distance between him and other riders after the final bend, winning the feature race at QREC ahead of Tuyoorna and Al Mostarsil by six lengths.
The British jockey picked up the top prize of QR57,000 in the QR100,000 race.
“It was a battle on the final straight. I knew many of the riders were ready to do a one-two but I am happy with this win,’ Mullen said.
Trainer Julian Smart sounded more pragmatic when asked to recap the race.
“This is a beautiful horse,” Smart said. “He loves the sand here. He is a horse for the races in Dubai. He won the Qatar International Derby two years ago.
“He ran a beautiful race,” Smart added.
Harraan won in a time of 1:19:26. Tuyoorna ridden by Gerald Avranche was second while Al Mostarsil with Marvin Suerland in the saddle - finished third. Star Deal timed his surge with an explosive burst of energy near the finish line to steal the show in race seven, winning a tough battle against Mefraas and Exodus.
Ridden by Yousef Al Hajri, Star Deal justified its glamorous name by winning the 1,800m race in a time of 1:57:14.
Mefrass - ridden by S Golam - finished in second post while Exodus - with jockey Ali Al Showeikh in the saddle - finished third.
“This was a good day for me and my horse,” Al Hajri said.
“I would say I enjoyed this competition with my rivals,” Al Hajri added.
“I was very confident all the way since we have trained well.
“Star Deal was brilliant in this race. I think it helps when your horse knows the track well. We have ridden here before. He reads and reacts well on the track,” Al Hajri said.
Jockey Avranche sealed a dramatic win in race six, piloting Inside to a classy victory ahead of Words Come Easy and Poppy.
The Jassim Ghazali-trained horse remained in the bunch until the last 40 yards when he broke free and raced ahead of leader Words Come Easy.
Darren Williams was in the saddle on Words Come Easy while jockey Evert Pheiffer managed the third-best finish in the dirt race.
Maintaining his excellent run of forms from last two weeks, jockey Stephan Ladjadj produced yet another thrilling result on way to winning the Thoroughbred Handicap rated 0-60, the fifth race of the evening.
The Frenchman who sealed three races in week one, yesterday guided Ghazali-trained Protect to win the 1800m race.
In second place was One More Roman - ridden by Stephanus Swanepoel - while Sworn finished third with P Convertino in the saddle.
In race four, Al Azzu kicked up a storm at the last bend, racing to win the QR55,000 race ahead of Raheel and Al Amjd.
Ridden by Williams, Al Azuur was the easy winner in the five-rider race.
Raheel was ridden by R Mullen while third-placed Al Majd was piloted home by Avranche.
In the third race of the evening, Ghazali-trained Millers Wharf stormed to win, edging stable-mate Hands of Time and Brief Chat.
With Yanis Aouabed in the saddle, Millers Wharf picked up pace in the last 40 metres, overtaking leader Hands Of Time, ridden by Avranche.
Jockey Ali Al Showeikh secured the third astride Brief Chat.
In race two, Jesilk was powered past the winning post by Yusuf Al Hajri to seal the win in the 1,200m race for pure Arabian.
Saif Brooq - ridden by Swanepoel - was second while Hassiba finished
third. THE PENINSULA
