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Saadi guides Equinoxe to Al Hamla Cup glory

Saadi guides Equinoxe to Al Hamla Cup glory

The Peninsula

After a brilliant run in the last season, Equinoxe yesterday got off to a flying start in the new calendar year, cornering the Al Hamla Cup glory with Soufiane Saadi in the saddle at the Al Rayyan Racecourse.

The impressive victory in the new season’s second meeting took the Alban de Mieulle-trained four-year-old colt’s strike rate to five in nine career starts. 

The winners received a prize money of QR57,000 in the QR100,000 race, with Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, crowning the triumphant side. 

Guided by Marco Casamento, Sky Blue was second in the race, receiving QR22,000 while Faleh Bughanaim-helmed Al Shomos picked QR11,000 for third spot. 

Also yesterday, Receding Waves looked in top form with jockey Saadi bagging his first trophy of the night. The Injaaz Stud’s Ali Al Kubaisi-trained eight-year-old horse notched a 1¾-length win in Thoroughbred Handicap. 

The connection of the horse pocketed QR57,000 for winning the title.

In the Purebred Arabian Conditions (CLASS 2), Arguya, ridden by Casamento, reigned supreme claiming a 2¾-length win in the 1400m Class 2 run. It was the second title of the night for Injaaz Stud, winning QR42,750.

In Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 4), Better Than Ever clinched victory, with Tomas Lukasek riding the Rashid bin Mubarak Aljafali Al Naimi’s horse to a 1½ win. Better Than Ever is trained by Mohamed Khaled Elahmed. 

Sharq Stud’s Di Oco Py sealed the Purebred Arabian Handicap victory as Meteb Ali Al Saaq rode the Owaida Salem Al Hajri-trained six-year-old horse to a 1½-length win in the 1400m run. 

Meanwhile, HM Al Bourak was victorious in Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, Seddik won the Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate while Cruella Dovil secured the Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 5) title.

On Wednesday, the first race meeting of the season featured the Al Ghariya Cup -- claimed by Unbutton of trainer Gassim Ghazali. Marci Casamento rode the 3-year-old bay filly to victory in the Thoroughbreds class (2) race on dirt.