Al Emadi’s homebred ‘Al Khor Surprise’ wins Al Thakhira Cup

Tribune News Network Doha Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi’s homebred Al Khor Surprise produced a sterling performance to win the Al Thakhira Cup at the Al Uqda...

Tribune News NetworkDoha Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi’s homebred Al Khor Surprise produced a sterling performance to win the Al Thakhira Cup at the Al Uqda Racecourse on Saturday.Ronan Thomas steered the Bader Al Balushi-trained five-year-old gelding to a dominating victory in the 1400m feature race, which got off to a fast start. Al Qamar, ridden by Alberto Sanna, was second in the closely-contested QR 75000 race while Ivan Rossi guided Al Harqah to third place. QREC’s Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi crowned the winners of Al Thakhira Cup, who got richer by QR42,750. While Sanna ended runner-up in the feature race, the Italian jockey earlier rode Al Wasmiyah Farm’s homebred Kadupul to 1400m Thoroughbred Handicap (0-85) title with a half length victory. The Georges Mikhalides-schooled the three-year-old filly. Al Modajal – helmed by JP Guillambert – ended up winner in the Thoroughbred Handicap (0-80) over 2,200m, giving trainer Jassim Ghazali his second victory of the day. The six-year-old Bay Horse is owned by Jassem Mohammed Al Badi. Meanwhile, Umm Qarn’s Bachra was third time lucky on Qatar debut as she came out on top of a head-to-head battle in the 1400m Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate with a nose win for trainer Alban de Mieulle & jockey Carlos Henrique. In the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, Abdullah Mohammed Al Kuwari & Sons’ Hungry For Fashion was fastest, securing first win of the day for Ghazali. David Allan guided the three-year-old filly. Al Jeryan Stud’s homebred AJS Al Mared, with Szczepan Mazur in the saddle, won the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap title in what was the first race of the day. WINNERSHorse, Trainer, Jockey1 - Al Thakhira Cup - Local Thoroughbred MaidenAl Khor Surprise, Bader Al Balushi, Ronan Thomas2 - Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 4)Kadupul, Georges Mikhalides, Alberto Sanna3 - Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 4)Al Modajal, Gassim Ghazali, JP Guillambert4 - Purebred Arabian Maiden PlateBachra, Alban Elie De Mieulle, Carlos Henrique5 - Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (Class 6)Hungry For Fashion (IRE), Gassim Ghazali, David Allan6 - Local Purebred Arabian Handicap: AJS Al Mared, M.H.K Al Attiyah, Szczepan Mazur