Hadi De Carrere Triumphs in Thrilling Finish at Umm Al Zubar Cup

Hadi De Carrere secured a dramatic victory in the Umm Al Zubar Cup, a prestigious Purebred Arabian Open Allowance Race, held during the 31st Al Rayyan Race Meeting at Al Rayyan Racecourse in Doha on October 21, 2023. The gelding displayed a powerful late surge, clinching the win in a nail-biting finish against the long-time leader Salwa.

Throughout the 1900-meter race, Hadi De Carrere maintained a strategic position, awaiting the opportune moment to accelerate. As the race reached its final furlong, jockey Marco Casamento prompted the horse for a final effort, resulting in a determined dash that saw Hadi De Carrere edge past Salwa by a mere head at the finish line.

Successful Partnership on Display

This victory underscored the successful collaboration between trainer Gassim Al Ghazali and Casamento, who have demonstrated a strong rapport throughout the event. Their ability to time the run perfectly was particularly evident in this tightly contested race. Following the victory, Rashid Saed Adiba, the head of the QREC Racing Operations Section, presented the Umm Al Zubar Cup trophies to the winning connections.

The evening also showcased other impressive performances. Earlier in the program, Sahm Al Bawadi won the Purebred Arabian Show Horses and Mares race, crossing the finish line with a commanding lead of 4.5 lengths. The Thoroughbred Handicap saw Super Mo assert his dominance, securing victory by a margin of 2.5 lengths.

Notable Performances Throughout the Card

In the Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-60), Mallhog set the pace early on and achieved a decisive victory, finishing five lengths clear of the competition. Additionally, Al-Yaseen Zakhir continued the successful trend for the Ghazali-Casamento partnership by winning the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap.

In other races, Wahaas showcased resilience in the Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, securing a win by a neck, while Little Lips triumphed in the Thoroughbred Handicap (0-60). In the opening race, Tawfeeq marked his debut with a narrow victory in the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, winning the 1700-meter race by a quarter of a length.

The successful meeting highlighted the competitive spirit of the racing community at Al Rayyan, with thrilling finishes and notable performances captivating the audience and participants alike.