Doha [Qatar], February 20: Return To Senders returned to winning form in the seventh race on Wednesday night, claiming the Al Jumayliyah Cup over 1700m for 4-year-old and older Thoroughbreds at the Al Rayyan Racecourse.
The nine-year-old bay, owned by Al Eida Racing and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, produced a powerful finish to sweep past his rivals in the final 200m and secure a decisive four-length victory under Marco Casamento, completing a double for the trainer-jockey duo on the card.
Drawn wide in barrier 9, Return To Senders settled just behind the early leaders as Coco Jack set the pace, chased by Mobilise, Assertively, Local Law and Upton Park. The field maintained a steady tempo into the home turn.
In the straight, Upton Park, representing Mohammed Abdulhadi Al Hajri and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, surged to the front and briefly looked set to win. But Return To Senders responded with a decisive burst of speed, overtaking him inside the final 200m to claim the trophy.
Upton Park held second under Faleh Bughenaim, while Smart Contender, ridden by Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri for owner and trainer Nasser Owaida Salem Al Hajri, completed the podium.
Across the seven-race card, highlights included Al Bayyin Grine breaking his maiden in the opener, Ta'hoos Al Shahania powering home from the back, Mysteryofthesands delivering a devastating turn of foot, Moharb asserting dominance, AJS Najma front-running impressively, and Sussex showcasing stamina and authority.
52nd Al Rayyan Race Meeting
- Al Jumayliyah Cup
WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
1 -Al Jumayliyah Cup, 4yo+ Thoroughbreds
Return To Senders, Gassim Al Ghazali, Marco Casamento
2 - Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden Plate
Al Bayyin Grine, Hamad Al-Jehani, Jefferson Smith
3 - Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-65)
Ta'hoos Al Shahania, Rudy Nerbonne, Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik
4 - Thoroughbred Handicap (0-75)
Mysteryofthesands, Mohammed Al Ghazali, Salman Fahad Al Hajri
5 - Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-65): Moharb, Gassim Al Ghazali, Marco Casamento
6 - Local Purebred Arabian Fillies & Mares Handicap (70-90)
AJS Najma, M.H.K Al Attiyah, Szczepan Mazur
7 - Thoroughbred Handicap (70-90), 4yo+: Sussex, M.H.K Al Attiyah, Szczepan Mazur.
Source: Qatar Tribune