Al Attiyah's VENEDEGAR Lands Qatar Cup Victory

Doha, October 29 (QNA) - Mohammed Bin Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah's VENEDEGAR (Dubawi x Cara Fantasy) had only won once in 18 outings coming into Wednesday's QATAR CUP (THOROUGHBRED CONDITIONS (Class 2)). However, a switch to dirt for the first time ever proved fruitful for Hadi Nasser Rashid Al Ramzani's ward as the gelding bagged the 1700m feature in thrilling fashion. With Alexander Reznikov in the saddle of the 4yo, Venedegar stayed within striking distance of early leader Shabbab. On the home straight as the pace quickened, Venedegar steadily took the advantage and then held on for a thrilling two length victory. Zuhair Mohsen Zuhair Maki trained DANEYAN (Shamardal X Dayita) was second under JP Guillambert, riding in the colors of Zakhir Racing, while Mansoor Ebrahim Al Mahmouds HIGH COMMANDER (Teofilo x Pellinore), ridden by Alberto Sanna for trainer Gassim Mohammad Ghazali, was third. Al Thumama Racing's X FORCE (Bungle Inthejungle x Nafa) had bagged a C&D Handicap back in March handsomely, and on Wednesday, the gelding raced to yet another spectacular victory in the penultimate race in the eight event card. In the THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 3) (75-95), Soufiane Saadi moved his mount up front coming off wide from the gates. As the Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki trained 3yo hit the home straight, he already had a comfortable gap on the rest of the field, but Saadi let him build on it, as the duo won by a dominant 17 lengths. It was the second victory for the Al Malki-Saadi combine on the day. Ali Bin Saeed Aljafali Al Nuaimi's AJAL (Domestic Fund x My Sweet Natalie) brushed aside a forgettable previous handicap effort to win in scintillating fashion on Wednesday. The LOCAL THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (75 & below) saw the Majed Mahadi Seifeddine schooled colt switch to dirt for the first time in almost a year, and the 4yo had little trouble making it two in two this season under Alberto Sanna. The duo were unstoppable as the gap kept widening on the home straight between the leading colt and the rest as Ajal won by nine lengths and three quarters. Qatari rider Rashid Ali Al Marri has already done better than last season in terms of wins with the apprentice rider riding his third winner this term so far. In the THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE (Class 6), Hamad Ahmed Al Malki Al Jehani's LEAFY MOSS (Shamardal x Botaniique), a runner up over C&D on his last start, was blistering in the six furlong sprint yesterday. The gelding had little trouble pulling away gamely from the competition to win the dirt race by eight lengths and three quarters. Mohammed Khamis Eisa Al Kaabis LEHWAILA (Coach House x Wannabe Free) went one better than her last outing to shed her maiden status on Wednesday. In the LOCAL THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE, the Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki trained 4yo had Francois Herholdt for company, and the duo, runner-up in season opener two weeks ago, eased to a comfortable three length victory in the six furlong sprint. (QNA)