The closing chapter of the meeting of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) belonged firmly to Maysara, who brought the curtain down in emphatic fashion with an authoritative success in the Marmi Cup, the eighth and final race on the card. The six-year-old chestnut mare produced a performance full of control and late power to land the Local Thoroughbred Open Race for four-year-olds and upwards over 1200 metres, Class 2, confirming her consistency and class at this level.
Owned by Mohammed Abdulhadi Al-Hajri and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, Maysara returned to winning ways after a pair of runner-up efforts, registering her third victory from five starts this season. Ridden with patience and precision by Pierre-Charles Boudot, she drew clear in the closing stages to score by two lengths, completing a notable double on the card for her trainer.
Al Nasr Al Washeek set the early tempo, pressing forward to lead from Mutamarrid, while Maysara was settled just behind the leading pair. Through the middle stages, the field remained compact, with Barq Al Atam moving into contention and the leader enjoying a measured advantage. As the pace lifted approaching the home turn, Maysara was eased back into the race, improving smoothly into striking position.
Once straightened, the response was instant. Asked to quicken inside the final 300 metres, Maysara unleashed a decisive turn of foot, sweeping past her rivals with ease and putting the outcome beyond doubt in a matter of strides. Al Nasr Al Washeek stayed on gamely to take second under Ivan Rossi, holding Mutamarrid by a neck, but neither could match the winner’s late authority as the Marmi Cup was settled in commanding fashion.
Early promise rewarded as Neebrook opens the card
The meeting began with a polished display from Neebrook, who made a winning debut in Qatar in the opening Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for three-year-olds over 1400 metres, Class 6. Trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki for owner Abdulrahman Mohammed Al-Attiyah, the lightly raced chestnut built on previous experience in Ireland to score by a length under Tomas Lukasek.
Racing prominently throughout, Neebrook asserted on straightening and showed a willing response when challenged late, holding off the strong-finishing Tuyoof, who ran on well for second. Not Now Ever stayed on for third, rounding off a promising contest among unexposed youngsters.
Anika makes decisive breakthrough
Anika delivered a commanding performance in the second race, a Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate over 2200 metres, Class 6. The four-year-old grey filly, trained by Alban de Mieulle for Wathnan Racing, broke her maiden at the third attempt with a performance of real authority, drawing clear by three and a half lengths under Megane Peslier.
Always travelling strongly near the pace, Anika struck the front approaching the home turn and extended relentlessly in the straight. Tariqu Al Shahania gave chase to finish second, with Egaab Zakhir staying on from the rear for third, well adrift of the leading pair.
Mabsam shows resilience to regain form
The third race saw Mabsam return to winning form in the Local Thoroughbred Handicap over 2200 metres, Class 6. Racing for Injaaz Stud and trained by Jihad El Ahmad, the five-year-old mare showed determination under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri to prevail by a narrow quarter of a length.
Setting the pace throughout, Mabsam was challenged late by Qawaafi, who ranged up strongly inside the final furlong, but the leader found enough to hold on. Jabahat finished third after a steady run, as Mabsam secured her first success since December 2024.
Waseelh dominates from the front
Waseelh produced a striking pillar-to-post display in the Purebred Arabian Novice Plate over 1400 metres, Class 5. Trained by Julian Smart for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, the grey filly made all under Marco Casamento, drawing right away to score by four and a half lengths.
Breaking sharply from a wide draw, she controlled the race from the outset and extended further on straightening, leaving her rivals well behind. Lubara finished second ahead of Guindol Dei Ribo in a race dominated by the winner.
Loaded Gun strikes late in tight finish
Loaded Gun returned to winning form in the fifth race, a Thoroughbred Handicap over 2000 metres, Class 4, edging out a narrow head victory after a well-timed late challenge. Trained by Gassim Al Ghazali for Khalid Nasser Al-Attiya, the gelding recorded his third win of the season under Marco Casamento.
Ridden patiently off the pace, Loaded Gun emerged late to engage Blewburton in a gripping duel, finding just enough in the final strides. Blewburton was a gallant second, with Hyperchromatic staying on for third.
Washington Street continues upward rise
Washington Street maintained his progress with a convincing success in the sixth race, a Thoroughbred Handicap over 1200 metres, Class 3. Owned by Al Ghaf Stud and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, the four-year-old chestnut produced a sharp turn of foot under Pierre-Charles Boudot to score by two and a half lengths.
Tracking the pace throughout, he surged clear once asked for an effort, asserting decisively inside the final 200 metres. Ponga stayed on for second, with Sweet Fantastic finishing strongly for third.
Samsa Al Shahania seals stable clean sweep
The penultimate race belonged to Samsa Al Shahania, who preserved his unbeaten record for the season with a determined victory in the Purebred Arabian Handicap over 2200 metres, Class 2. Trained by Rudy Nerbonne for Al Shahania Stud, the six-year-old bay edged out a half-length success under Lukas Delozier.
Prominent throughout, Samsa Al Shahania moved up strongly turning for home alongside stablemates Ward and Jalaad Al Shahania. In the closing stages, he found most to secure victory, with Ward second and Jalaad Al Shahania third, completing a clean sweep for the connections and rounding off a memorable card highlighted by the Marmi Cup finale.
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