Sanna guides Iloucio to Al Gharafa Cup triumph

Tribune News Network Doha Jockey Alberto Sanna continued to sparkle under lights in the exciting Eighth Race Meeting of Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club on T...

Tribune News NetworkDohaJockey Alberto Sanna continued to sparkle under lights in the exciting Eighth Race Meeting of Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club on Thursday as the Italian rode Iloucio to a stunning Al Gharafa Cup triumph, completing a quartet of victories at the Al Rayyan Racecourse. Sanna, who had guided Nakheel to feature Al Beshairiya Cup win to seal hat-trick on Wednesday, completed a total of seven wins this week after adding four titles on Thursday. In the feature race, Layla Sophia Kalach-owned Iloucio was in top form as the 3-year-old bay colt prevailed over Szczepan Mazur-helmed Alrugrog, securing a winner’s purse of QR57,000 in the QR100,000 race. Ghadanffar Al Cham, ridden by Marco Casamento secured third position in the feature race. President of the Qatar and Asian Equestrian Federations and QREC Vice-Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah crowned the winners. Earlier, Sanna steered Rudy Andre Nerbonne-trained Asiak to Purebred Arabian Handicap (4yo only) title. The Sheikha Iman bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s entry claimed a neck win after a thrilling start to the race. In Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (3yo) – yesterday’s first race – Sanna was astride Attasha, which clinched title on the Qatar debut. Soon after opening victory, the Italian jockey helmed That to Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. Meanwhile, Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Sayyal, ridden by Szczepan Mazur, also sizzled landing the Thoroughbred Plate crown after a 5½-length win. Tom Marquand guided Georges Mikhalides-trained Noor Al Hawa to Thoroughbred Conditions victory. Soufiane Saadi also bagged a victory when he rode Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Action Hero to Thoroughbred Handicap crown. Osaila, with Mazur in the saddle, was triumphant in the Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate after sealing an impressive by 3¾-length win. WINNERS Horse, Trainer, Jockey 1 - Al Gharafa Cup - Purebred Arabians (3yo) (Far Bend)Iloucio, Wasim Al Sahn, Alberto Sanna2 - Thoroughbred Plate (2yo only) Sayyal (IRE), Eric Lemartinel, Szczepan Mazur3 - Thoroughbred Conditions (Class 2) (Far Bend)Noor Al Hawa, Georges Mikhalides, Tom Marquand4 - Purebred Arabian Handicap (4yo only): Asiak, Rudy Andre Nerbonne, Alberto Sanna5 - Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 4) (Far Bend)Action Hero, Zuhair Mohsen, Soufiane Saadi6 - Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate (3yo only)Osaila (QA), Eric Lemartinel, Szczepan Mazur7 - Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (3yo only): That, Bader Al Balushi, Alberto Sanna8 - Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (3yo): Attasha, Stefano Ibido, Alberto Sanna.