Saida claims Al Waab Cup with late surge

Doha, Qatar: Saida, owned by Time Form Syndicate and trained by Hamad Al Jehani, delivered a dramatic late surge in the Local Thoroughbred Handicap 50-70 over 1400m for horses aged three and above, to clinch the Al Waab Cup at Al Rayyan Racecourse on the turf on Saturday night.

The five-year-old mare recovered from seventh spot at halfway mark, and surged ahead to snatch victory by a head under jockey Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi to secure her third win from five starts this season.

Al Deebil, racing for Al Wasmiyah Farm and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, finished second under Arnaud de Lepine, while Toyota, representing Al Ezz Stud and trained by Saeed Al Shafi, came third under Lukas Delozier.

The Deputy Director of Registration and Studbook Department at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Saad Ali Al Kubaisi presented the Al Waab Cup to the winners.

Earlier, RB Hot Mess sealed the victory in the sixth and penultimate race, a Purebred Arabian Handicap 65-85 over 2200m.

The seven-year-old grey, owned by Yosuf Ahmad Telfat and trained by Bader Al Balushi, unleashed a strong late surge to win by two and a half lengths under Pierre-Charles Boudot.

Meanwhile, Manjam, owned by Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and trained by Zuhair Mohsen, was ridden to success in the Purebred Arabian Handicap 65-85 over 1400m by Abdulla Rashid Al Hajri.

Injaaz Stud’s Rayyan Bu Thaila captured the Local Thoroughbred Graduation Plate title under Boudot, while Mister Linsou was the fastest in the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate over 1400m for four-year-olds, giving trainer Hamad Al-Jehani another success.

Just A City Boy claimed the Thoroughbred Handicap 0-60 over 2200m for owner Alghazali Motors Racing and trainer Mohammed Al Ghazali, while Hardan set the tone in the opening Local Purebred Arabian Handicap 0-65 over 2200m, delivering for owner Maryam Abdulrahman Al-Jaber and trainer Hadi Al Ramzani.