Al Rayyan Al Sakab wins Halul Island Cup

Al Rayyan Al Sakab, ably ridden by jockey Marivn Suerland, won the Halul Island Cup for Local Thoroughbred Stakes at the 40th race meeting of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC). The race day was held under the patronage of the HE the Minister of State Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Attiyah, a QREC report said Thursday. The Mohammad Hamad Al Attiya-trained four-year-old Al Rayyan Al Sakab took the lead in the nine-horse 1,200 meters race Wednesday at the outset and sprinted to the finish line in one minute and 12.82 seconds on the sand track of QREC. Al Rayyan Al Sakab showed extra-ordinary surge of power to win, by the huge margin of seven lengths. This was Al Rayyan Al Sakab's fourth win in five runs on the New Rayyan track. With the win jockey Suerland completed a double for the day. Al Mazrooah was second followed by Al Mansoor. This race was for prize money of QR 80,000. Trainer Jassim Al Ghazali too had two wins during the six-race day. Al Ghazali trained Uqab and Inside won. Uqab won the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate over 1,100 metres with Yanis Aouabed in the saddle. Inside took the honours in the Thoroughbred Handicap race for horses rated 60 and below. Inside was piloted home by Gerald Avranche. Umm Qarn, which enjoyed a great week during previous three meetings, had one more winner today. Umm Qarn owned Waddah triumphed in the Local Bred Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 40 to 70. The Alban de Mieulle schooled horse was taken to the finish line by Pier Convertino. It was thrilling finish to the Thoroughbred Handicap contest for horses rated 80 and 100 and Majd Al Shajaa edged other two horses to claim the top prize. It was a battle between Salem Al Hajri trained Majd Al Shajaa, Trompettiste and Johnny Hancocks. Majd Al Shajaa managed to edge the two by a 'Head' margin over 1,200 metres in a time of one minute and 12.40 seconds. It was a superb ride by Suerland. In the Local Bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate, Julian Smart nurtured Al Azuur won the Local Bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. Al Azuur led from the start to check in well clear of Hshiyat and Al Forat. Jockey Marco Monteriso rode a well-judged race on the winner.  Source : QNA