Sidcot Swallet staves off State Patrol to win Wadi Al Sail Cup

Faleh Bughanaim rides Sidcot Swallet to Wadi Al Sail Cup victory at the Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim

Mirdef Ali Al Qashouti’s Sidcot Swallet overcame a late surge from State Patrol to clinch the Wadi Al Sail Cup with a two-length victory in feature race at the Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday. Helmed by Faleh Bughanaim, the Mohamed Ghazali-trained colt was enjoying a good lead in best part of the 1200m Maiden Thoroughbreds race before State Patrol, ridden by Olivier d’Andigne, threatened his domination with a late charge. However, Sidcot Swallet continued with the top pace to retain top position, ensuring a winner’s prize money of QR57,000. Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi crowned the winners of feature event of the QREC’s 30th Race Meeting. Meanwhile, Bughanaim registered his first victory of the day when he rode Al Shaqab Racing’s Samos to a comfortable win in 1,700m Maiden for 3YO Thoroughbreds.   It was also a good day for jockey Ronan Thomas, who completed his hat-trick after guiding Abdulatif Hussain al-Emadi-owned Bab Al Rayyan to first place in Local Thoroughbred Handicap by 1¼ lengths. Earlier, Thomas astride Deliberate Attack won the Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 4) – his second title of the day. The Hamad al-Jehani’s trainee won the 1,800m contest by impressive 8 lengths. Umm Qarn’s Muntazah gave Thomas his first win of the day by winning Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate. Also yesterday, Yousef Khalifa al-Jehani-helmed Anees won the Purebred Arabian Handicap while Szczepan Mazur rode Ushayqer to Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate success. In the 31st Race Meeting, top entries will be eyeing the Khor Al Adaid Cup – the feature event of the seven-race schedule today. WINNERS Horse, Trainer, Jockey 1. Wadi Al Sail Cup - Maiden Thoroughbreds (Class 6) Sidcot Swallet, Mohamed Ghazali, Faleh Bughanaim 2. Local Thoroughbred Handicap Bab Al Rayyan, Bader al-Balushi, Ronan Thomas 3. Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 4) Deliberate Attack, Hamad al-Jehani, Ronan Thomas 4. Purebred Arabian Handicap (Qatari Riders Only) Anees, Gassim Ghazali, Yousef Khalifa al-Jehani 5. Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate (4yo Only) Muntazah, Alban Elie De Mieulle, Ronan Thomas 6. Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (3yo Only) (Class 6) Samos, Eric Lemartinel, Faleh Bughanaim 7. Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate Ushayqer, Mohamed Khaled Elahmed, Szczepan MazurQatar Racing and Equestrian Club Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi (left) crowned the winners of the Wadi Al Sail Cup.