In-form Ghanem clinches Al Bayt Cup at Al Rayyan

Doha, Qatar: Piloted by Marco Casamento, Ghanem maintained his blistering form to clinch the Al Bayt Cup his second victory in just five days at A...

Doha, Qatar: Piloted by Marco Casamento, Ghanem maintained his blistering form to clinch the Al Bayt Cup – his second victory in just five days – at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday.

The five-year-old, who won the Purebred Arabian 70–90 (Class 3) on Saturday, wrapped up the two-day Al Bayt Cup meeting in style, winning the Purebred Arabian Handicap 80–100 (Class 2) by one and a half lengths.

Trained by Jassim Ghazali, Ghanem had a calm start to the 2500m race and saved his best for the home straight, securing victory for owner Nasser Saeed M. S. Al-Eida.

Salwa, who put up a late challenge under Jefferson Smith, finished second in the feature, with Sakher claiming third place – seven lengths behind the runner-up. Deputy Director of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s Registration & Studbook Department Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, honoured the winners.

Earlier, trainer Hamad Al-Jehani celebrated a quick-fire double, with Weissmuller and Silver Jubilee bagging victories. Jockey Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi guided Weissmuller to a one-length win over Maximus Alexios in the thrilling 1200m Thoroughbred Graduation Plate, which featured 13 runners.