Curtains come down on Emir’s Sword Festival
DOHA, February 25, 2018- Pleaseletmewin, ridden by Martin Harley, yesterday handed popular Qatari trainer Jassim Ghazali his third big win of the day by clinching the honours in the feature race on day two of the Emir's Sword Festival.
Ghazali, who had won two key races earlier in the day, saw Pleaseletmewin seal a nail-biting victory at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) where the four-year-old gelding edged Vitally Important and Diplomat to the finish line in a dramatic late lunge that required a photo-finish to identify the winner.
The victory was worth $114,000 for Harley who seemed thrilled with the outcome on a cold evening.
“It feels nice to have won the feature race of the day. It was not easy but I have to say I have a great horse," Harley said after the race. “We had a bit of fun at the start and I told Jassim 'we will win'. But overall I know the horse. He's a great ride. He has been running well and strong. He is the reason we ended so well today.
“It was great to be here with him. He ended so strong against a good field," Harley, who had won race two also, added.
Qatari jockey Faleh Bughanaim, who was astride Vitally Important, picked up $44,000 while third-placed Alexander Pietsch got richer by $22,000.
Trainer Ghazali, beaming from ear to ear, said: “Nobody could have thought I would not just win one or two but three races including the main race. Pleaseletmewin rode a fantastic race. I have to say that he (Harley) a great rider."
Earlier in a shock result, Omani jockey Almotasem Al Balushi guided Meblsh to a big win in the Gulf Cup. Owned by Saad Suhail Salim Al Mukhaini Bahwan, Meblsh finished the race ahead of Zahwa who had Gerald Avranche in the saddle.
Shanesa, ridden by Cristian Demuro, clinched the third place but it was Al Balushi who won the top prize of $57,000.
“Thank God for this great win. I expected him to do well and he did more than that. Normally you can't promise wins but he did not disappoint us today," Al Balushi said after the race.
Minutes after nailing win the race five, the popular Harry Bentley-Ghazali duo came to the fore once again this season when the British riding star posted his second win of the day in the Purebred Arabian Sprint Cup.
Bentley guided Ghazali-trained Caid De L'Ardus to a convincing win in the 1200m race. Six-year-old Caid De L'Ardus finished ahead of Almuheet, ridden by Pierantonio Convertino, while Kasser, who had Marvin Suerland in the saddle, settled for the third-place finish.
“It was a nice win. Am very pleased the way things have gone today. I obviously won the previous race also so I was in the right mood," Bentley said.
“It was not easy as there were riders shoulder-to-shoulder," the Briton added. “I have done well throughout the season so I am happy about that. It is definitely a good day for me since I have won two races so far," he added.
In race five, Bentley guided Mosayter to a win in the Local Thoroughbred Trophy contest. Mosayter clocked a time of 1:26.41 in the 1400m race where Al Lusail - ridden by Bughanaim - finished in second spot. Muraqabah, also trained by Ghazali, ended in third spot with JP Guillambert in the saddle.
In race four, jockey Eduardo Pedroza made the most of a superb run in the final stretch by Mango Tango to win the honours in the Class 3 Thoroughbreds. Mango Tango finished 1.5 furlongs ahead of Botanica who was ridden by Guillambert in the 1600m race. Ghazali-trained Stars N Angels was placed third with jockey Oisin Murphy.
In race three, Black Orange produced a late burst to nail win in the Class 4 Thoroughbred Plate. With Pierantonio Convertino in the saddle, Black Orange cornered glory ahead of Ghazali-trained Beckton who was guided by Guillambert. Murphy, astride Ghazali-trained Masked Defender, secured the third spot.
In race two, Harley guided Ishfaq to a narrow win over Mohssn in the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate. Ishfaq clocked 2:17.45 in the 2000m marathon. Mohssn was ridden by Cristian Demuro. Glory boy on day one of the Emir's Sword Festival Theo Bachelot rode Julian Smart-trained Hatem to third place.
In race one of the day, Naomie Heller sailed to a smooth win with Semaisima, clinching the top honours in the Longines World Fegentri Championship. Semaisima clocked a time of 1:49:24 to bag the top spot in the 1600m turf race as Heller picked up $17,100. Smart-trained Al Ghawja finished second with Josephine Chini in the saddle while Virginia Drexler guided E'zaaz to the third spot in the 10-rider field.
Today the three-day horse racing gala will end with four major races -the Emir's Shalfa (sponsored by Manateq, 2000m), the Emir's Silver Sword (sponsored by Al Hazm, 1850m), the Emir's Trophy (GR 1, presented by Longines, 2400m) and the Emir's Sword (GR1 PA, sponsored by Total, 2400m).
The total prize money in the Emir's Sword race is $1m with the winning rider set to claim $570,000.
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