Laheeb al-Shahania claims Losail Cup

After two disappointments last month since returning from surgery, Laheeb Al Shahania was back to his best while capturing the Losail Cup (Pure Arabian Stakes) during the 41st race meeting at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (REC) on March 7. Today’s races were held under the patronage of Minister of State HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Nasser Bin Jassim Al Thani. Julian Smart schooled Laheeb Al Shahania had run two races this season. However, in both attempts he failed to win. In Doha Cup and Gulf Cup in February, he finished second and third respectively. However, today, he ended that disappointment with a good win over 1,200 metres in the feature event. Laheeb Al Shahania was ridden to a three-fourths-of-a -length victory by Darren Williams in a time of one minute and 17.75 seconds. Laheeb Al Shahania underwent a surgery in December last year and after that ran over three successive weeks. And he has succeeded in his third attempt which is good. The win in the final race for trainer Smart completed a double victory for him. Earlier he had won with Mekhbatt in the Local Bred Pure Arabian Stakes which was the fourth race of the seven-event card. Jockey Richard Mullen piloted Mekhbatt to victory over 1,400 metres. Mekhbatt completed the race in one minute and 32.16 seconds. Yousef Bentaher nurtured Amico Mio swept past an assembly of high quality horses to claim the Thoroughbred Stakes over 1,850 metres. After an injury setback, Amico Mio has proved his class once again. Earlier, he won in November last year. This time he was taken to the finish line by jockey Stephen Ladjadj. In the Thoroughbred Handicap race for horses rated 50 to 70, Ibrahim Al Malki trained Arabic triumphed by a ‘Head’ margin with rider Mark Lawson in the saddle. It was a close contest in the final stages between the winner, El Ameen and Namibian Orator. The Pure Arabian Handicap race for horses rated 40 to 70 too produced a thrilling finish. And in the end, the contest was sealed by Guide Al Khal with Rosario Ponce in the saddle. New Pearl, trained by Mohammed Khalid, was ridden to victory by Pier Convertino in the Thoroughbred Plate for three-year-olds. Bern Me Baby held the lead for most of the 1,200 metres, but the aggressive finish won the contest for New Pearl in a time of one minute and 11.59 seconds. In the opening race of the day – Thoroughbred Maiden Plate – Zohair Moghsen trained La Pampita was a comfortable winner over 2,000 metres.   Qatar Sports News