Doha [Qatar], November 13: Battle Of Maldon bounced back from a runner-up finish on his Qatar debut last month with an impressive victory in the 2000m Thoroughbred Derby Trial for three-year-olds at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club's 10th Al Rayyan Race Meeting on Thursday.
At the Al Rayyan Racecourse, the Sharq Stud-owned bay gelding was held towards the rear during the early and middle stages before making rapid progress down the outside in the closing stages. He picked off his rivals one by one before pulling clear for a commanding success, doubling his career tally for trainer Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al Sulaiti and jockey Szczepan Mazur.
Nine races were on the card, with QREC Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah presenting the trophies for the feature Thoroughbred Derby Trial.
In the penultimate race, La Quyood continued his winning run with a second consecutive victory this season, taking the 2000m Purebred Arabian Derby Trial for four-year-olds after a close finish.
Owned by Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, he completed a treble for trainer Hamad Al Jehani and jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev.
Saad bin Ali Al Kharji presented the trophies, accompanied by QREC Chairman Al Attiyah.
Earlier, Asfaan Al Shahania made a winning seasonal return, edging out Maadi Alseej by a short head in the 1750m contest for four-year-old Local Purebred Arabians. The grey colt, owned by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, secured his second consecutive victory and completed a double for trainer Rudy Nerbonne and jockey Lukas Delozier.
In the 1750m Thoroughbred Oaks Trial for three-year-olds, Tuyoof continued her winning run with an impressive 3½-length victory . The filly produced a strong late burst to sweep past the leaders, earning a second consecutive win. She completed a double for trainer Al-Jehani and jockey Murzabayev.
Meanwhile, Inaya Grine sprang a surprise in the 1750m Purebred Arabian Oaks Trial for four-year-olds, producing a strong late run to secure an impressive victory and double her career tally. Owned by Salmeen bin Abdulla Al Jabri, the filly is trained by Ahmed Al Jehani and was ridden by Murzabayev.
Dinar maintained his unbeaten record with a second win from as many starts, adding the 1750m Local Thoroughbred Derby Trial for three-year-olds to his Local Thoroughbred Guineas success.
The Wathnan Racing-owned grey gelding made his move around the home turn before jockey Soufiane Saadi switched him wide to find a clear run and take the lead. The victory completed a double for both trainer Alban de Mieulle and Saadi.
Kendah Al Shahania made a winning seasonal return, taking the 1750m Local Purebred Arabian Oaks for four-year-olds by nearly four lengths. The victory was her fourth in five starts. She is trained by Rudy Nerbonne and was ridden by Lukas Delozier.
Alkaydah made a winning Qatar debut, claiming the 1600m Purebred Arabian Derby Trial for three-year-olds with a strong late challenge. The Group 1 performer secured her second career victory for Al Wasmiyah Farm, trainer Al Jehani and jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot.
Al Wazeer maintained his unbeaten record with a third consecutive victory, winning the 1600m Local Purebred Arabian Derby Trial for three-year-olds on his seasonal debut. The Wathnan Racing-owned colt made all under Saadi for trainer De Mieulle.
Source: Qatar Tribune
