Al Judhay Cup for Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Matafi
AL Shaqab Racing’s homebred Al Matafi took the Al Judhay Cup for trainer Eric Lemartinel as she won the feature of Qatar Racing & Equestrian Federation’s (QREC) 10th Race Meeting at Al Uqda Racecourse on Thursday.
Al Matafi won the 2100m Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden for 4-6YOs by a length and a half under an excellent ride from Jerome Moutard.
Abdulaziz Jassim Al Boenain, Al Uqda Complex Manager, presented the trophies to the winners.
Earlier, in a quick-fire double for the combination of trainer Gassim Ghazali and jockey Marco Casamento as the Nasser Saeed Al Eida-owned Mystical Music (GB) won the 1400m Handicap (70-90) for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds by a length and three quarters, giving them another winner.
It was also another treble by Casamento and for the second day in a row.
Meshaal bin Ali Al Attiyah’s Irtiqaa (QA) picked up her second win in a row, as the 7YO mare took the 1400m Handicap (0-95) for 4YO+ Local Thoroughbreds by a quarter of a length for trainer Jassim Ghazali and jockey Marco Casamento, who made it a double on the day.
The Nayef Batal Al Otibiowned and trained Meelad (FR) stayed on gamely in the closing stages of the Handicap (75-95) for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians to take the 2200m race by half a length under Prakash Akhade.
Wathnan Racing’s Union (IRE) ran out a narrow winner for trainer Alban de Mieulle in the 2200m Handicap (65-85) for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds. Under the ride of Ronan Thomas, the 6YO just got the better of Seulomonde (GB) (Dubawi) by the smallest of margins in another thrilling finish.
In an exciting three-way finish in the 1400m Handicap (0-65) for 4YO+ Local Thoroughbreds, the Jassim bin Hamad Al Atteya-owned and Mohammed Hamad Al Attiyatrained SK Shaheen (QA) took the honours with a head and another head separating the first three home.
SK Shaheen ridden by Soufiane Saadi with Elaaf (QA) Domestic Fund and Lehwaila (QA) (Coach House) finishing second and third.
In the opening race of the day, the trainer-jockey duo of Mohammed Ghazali and Marco Casamento continued their lucrative partnership with a fourth win since yesterday as they teamed up with Ashwas (QA), owned by Abdulla Bin Mohammed Al Attiya, for a half-length win in the 1400m Handicap (0-65) for 4YO+ Local Purebred Arabians.
AL JUDHAY CUP (Horse, Trainer, Jockey) 1 - Al Judhay Cup - Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden
Al Matafi, Eric Lemartinel, Jerome Moutard
2 - Thoroughbred Handicap 7090 (Class 3)
Mystical Music, Gassim Ghazali, Marco Casamento
3 - Local Thoroughbred Handicap 0-95
Irtiqaa, Gassim Ghazali, Marco Casamento
4 - Purebred Arabian Handicap 75-95
Meelad, Nayef Batal Al Otibi, Prakash Akhade
5 - Thoroughbred Handicap 6585 (Class 4)
Union, Alban Elie De Mieulle, Ronan Thomas
6 - Local Thoroughbred Handicap 0-65
S K Shaheen, Mohammed Hamad Al Attiya, Soufiane Saadi
7 - Local Purebred Arabian Handicap 0-65
Ashwas, Mohammed Ghazali, Marco Casamento.