Dubai: Qatari trainers formed a powerful axis on day eight of Al Marmoum Heritage Festival, winning the majority of the major prizes on offer at the Dubai Camel & Racing Club’s annual marquee event.
A buzz reverberated around the sprawling track during an absorbing morning session that saw the visitors sweep nine of the 16 races, including all the four feature events.
And the crowd was kept enthralled and in awe of the mighty maroon colours of the Qataris in the evening sesson as well, when racing camels from the formidable Al Shahania Stables and Racetrack landed the spoils once again.
All of the races held on Thursday were allocated for the prized camels owned by Shaikhs in the six years and above category.
Leading Qatari trainer Mohammad Ali Al Wehaibi visited the winner’s enclosure for the third time on the day
when Letam easily won his 8-km race in a time of 13:04:02 minutes. And for the third time, Al Wehaibi collected the keys to a luxury Chevrolet Tahoe.
Meanwhile, top Qatari trainer Mohammad Khalid Al Attiyah confirmed that he is always the trainer to beat, when he saddled the first two winners on the afternoon’s card.
In the first race allocated for Local Purebred older male camels (Haul), the Al Attiyah-trained Al Waeia recorded a dominating victory over his rivals, clocking 12:10:0 minutes for the 8-km contest. Al Attiyah collected the keys to a spanking Mercedes G Wagon in addition to Dh150,000 in cash.
Within mintues Al Attiyah was picking up the keys to a luxury Range Rover and a cheque for Dh150, 000after his brilliant male camel Al Ghazeel comfortably outstayed his rivals in a race allocated for Local Hybrid Haul.
The third feature race for Local Purebred Zumool category also went to Qatar, when trainer Salim Bin Faran Al Marie sent out the powerful male camel, Al Baseer, to a 09:11:9 minute victory in the 8-km race. Al Marie received the keys to a luxury Toyota Station Wagon V6 and Dh30, 000 in cash.
The fastest time of the day was posted in the morning session when, Jezlah, a local hybrid, clocked 08:58:3 minutes in a 6-km contest.
The opening race of the morning session, for local female Purebreds, was won by Shawaheen, trained in Qatar by Al Attiyah, who was presented the keys of a luxury Toyota Station V6 and Dh30,000 in cash.
The second and third feature races were also won by trainer Al Wehaibi’s Hedour (meaning Attendance) and Hasheem (Timid).
