Doha: Wathnan Racing’s Dabida delivered an impressive performance to shed her maiden tag with victory in the Al Wakra Cup at Al Rayyan Racecourse on late Thursday evening.
Contesting the feature event for four-year-old Purebred Arabian fillies over 2000m, the grey filly was expertly guided by Soufiane Saadi and trained by Alban de Mieulle. Travelling strongly throughout, Dabida asserted her authority in the closing stages to score by a clear length.
The success also provided her owner-trainer combination with a second winner on the evening, capping a productive night at the races.
Geina, representing Dukhan Racing and handled by Hamad Al-Jehani, stayed on under Pierre Charles Boudot, was prominent early and briefly led before being eased into third as Alwasmiyah swept forward to assume control from HM Al Jadwal, who tracked her closely.
Dabida settled just behind them, initially in fourth before improving into third as the order stabilised through the middle stages with the leaders travelling comfortably. Approaching the home turn, Dabida advanced smoothly into second and, once in the straight, asserted to strike the front. Responding generously when challenged, she kept her nearest pursuer at bay and maintained her advantage all the way to the line.
Geina claimed second spot, finishing a length and a half clear of Al Fareeq, who ran on from off the pace for Khalifa bin Sheail Al-Kuwari, trainer Julian Smart and jockey Faleh Bughenaim to secure third.
Nah’ash Al Shahania took the penultimate race on the card, the Purebred Arabian Handicap (85–105) over 1400m (Class 2) for five-year-old+ and 10 runners. The six-year-old bay gelding, carrying the colours of Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani, from the yard of Rudy Nerbonne and partnered by Lukas Delozier, returned to winning ways after three placed finishes this campaign, registering his second success in six starts with a determined performance to score by a length while providing his trainer with a second winner on the evening and his rider with a third in succession.
Fateh HCM won the opener, the Purebred Arabian Handicap (45–65) over 1200m (Class 6) for four-year-old+ and 14 runners by a length. The five-year-old grey horse, owned and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea and ridden by Charles Boudot, was back in the winner’s enclosure following a placed effort last time, recording his second success of the season despite a wide berth in barrier 11.
Earlier in the day, Anika landed the Local Purebred Arabian Novice Plate over 1400m (Class 5) for four-year-olds and 13 runners in the fourth race. The grey filly, representing Wathnan Racing, trained by Alban de Mieulle and ridden by Megane Peslier, recorded her second straight victory at just her fourth career start, which also includes a placed finish, with a commanding display to score by nine lengths from a wide draw in barrier 11.
Results
56th Al Rayyan Race Meeting - Al Wakra Cup
WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
1. Al Wakra Cup, Purebred Arabian fillies, 4yo, 2000m
Dabida, Alban de Mieulle, Soufiane Saadi
2. Purebred Arabian Handicap (85-105), 5yo+, 1400m
Nah'ash Al Shahania, Rudy Nerbonne, Lukas Delozier
3. Thoroughbred Handicap (60-80), 4yo+, 2000m
Mysteryofthesands, Mohammed Al-Ghazali, Lukas Delozier
4. Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (60-80), 4yo+, 2000m
Mou'nes Al Shahania, Rudy Nerbonne, Lukas Delozier
5. Local Purebred Arabian Novice Plate, 4yo, 1400m
Anika, Alban de Mieulle, Megane Peslier
6. Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden Plate, 4-7yos, 2000m
Guindol Dei Ribo, Hamad al-Jehani, Pierre Charles Boudot
7. Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, 3yo, 1200m
Spareo, Hamad Ahmed Hassan Al-Malki Al-Jehani, Pierre Charles Boudot
8. Purebred Arabian Handicap (45-65), 4yo+, 1200m
Fateh HCM, Eng. Osama Omer Al-Dafea, Pierre Charles Boudot
