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Article from Gulf Times -
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Al Dahma, Casemate reign supreme
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By Chris
Hoover
Al Dahma, who nosed out Mared Al Sahra in the
QR one million Qatar International Trophy, a Group I Pure
Arabian race, one of the highlights of the Qatar Internationa
Equestrian Festival weekend racing, is an exceptionally talented
horse. Since she was taking on horses like Mared Al Sahra, Jaffer and Haut De Faust, one expected the favourite to meet with stiff resistance but she showed an amazing turn of foot, to overhaul Mared Al Sahra, who was shaping like a winner. Knowing the capabilities of Al Dahma, jockey David Bouland had the luxury of waiting on the filly till the final furlong till he set her alight. The Alban de Mieulle six-year-old bay mare produced an electrifying run in last 50 metres to clinch the verdict by a neck. Haut De Faust hit the front at the start of the 1,850 metres race, with the South African challenger Al Moutawakel fighting hard to be allowed a free run while Al Dahma was beautifully settled in the rear. Mared Al Sahra took charge on turning for home but when Al Dahma joined him on the outside; a keen contest ensued between the two. But it was Al Dahma who gained control where it mattered most when she got the better of Georgina Ward's Mared Al Sahra in the shadow of the post. The beaten brigade has the ability to reach the highest class. If nothing bothers her, Al Dahma has the forthcoming classics at her mercy. David was waiting since we know that Al Dahma once she takes the lead, she has a tendency to stop, Though the verdict was close, it is the victory that matters. "Qatar breeding is really improving and this is yet another achievement for Umm Qarn Farms and its team that has put in a lot of hard work to keep our horses in shape," trainer Alban de Mieulle told Gulf Times. Though it turned out to a nail biting finish, jockey Bouland did not think so. "I waited longer than I expected but I was not too worried about as I knew that Al Dahma is capable of tremendous acceleration. I had travel on the outside most of time and finally she came and won, which was what matters," jockey Bouland said. "We tried and did the best we could and nearly got Al Dahma. It was a brilliant race and Mared Al Sahra put up a gallant display. What more can we do. But one day we will get her," trainer Georgina Ward explained after the close finish. Zohair Moghsen trained Casemate asserted his superiority, winning the QR one million Qatar International Cup (Thoroughbreds), the other added attraction of the day, in tremendous fashion. The consistent Casemate thus got due reward for his talent, which for one reason or the other eluded him. After a smashing debut win and finishing third to Madaarek in the Qatar Derby, Casemate showed his class by quickening instantly despite having been switched in violently to change course on the inside, and stretching away from the field to win by a widening margin of one and three fourths length. It has been a long time since Zohair Moghsen landed the big plum. The hard-working trainer who was going through a lean patch could not have hoped for a better way to bring about change in fortunes, with success in one of the biggest classic events of the country. Results: 1st race: Dolomite (Gerard Avranche) 1, Blog 2, Adabi 3, Captain Esteem 4. Won by: 1, 2 1/2, Shd. Time: 1:12.40. Trained by: Nicholas de Croutte. Owned by: Sheikh Abdullah bin Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani; 2nd race: Najmat Al Sharq (Melanie Plat) 1, Al Mahboob 2, Fatih 3, Samhan 4. Won by: 3, 3, 7. Time: 1:47.69. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Sheikh Tamim bin Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani; 3rd race: Tornador (Stephen Ladjadj) 1, Vire Volte 2, Entisar 3, Abigaille 4. Won by: 1 3/4, Nk, 3/4. Time: 1:45.49. Trained by: Yousef Bentaher. Owned by: Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Ahmed al-Thani; 4th race: Hajaj (David Bouland) 1, Af Muhtarram 2, Saqar 3, Arrak 4. Won by: 3/4, 3, 1/2. Time: 2:11.76. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani; 5th race: Park Lane (Gerard Avranche) 1, Monita Al Nefos 2, Nebras 3, Shafoq 4. Won by: 1 1/4, 7, 1. Time: 2:02. 36. Trained by:Nicholas de Croutte. Owned by: Sheikh Abdullah bin Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani; 6th race: Casemate (Gerard Avranche) 1, Hamriya 2, Southport Star 3, Bennie Blue 4. Won by: 1 1/4, Hd, 1 1/2. Time: 2:31.67. Trained by: Zohair Moghsen. Owned by: Hussian Ali Bukanan; 7th race: Al Dahma (David Bouland) 1, Mared Al Sahra 2, Jaafer 3, Haut De Faust 4. Won by: Nk, 1 1/2, 2. Time: 2:01.79. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani. |
