TM Fred Texas, Al Tair carry Qatar hopes at Longchamp

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club sponsored Qatar Cup is set to get underway at the Longchamp racecourse in Paris today. The Group II race for four years old and over Pure Arabians has attracted six top class Pure Arabians and is expected to be fiercely competitive. Four contenders from Qatar will be in the fray which has a few accomplished performers. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani owned TM Fred Texas, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani owned Al Tair, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani owned Mu’Azzaz and Essa Mohammed al-Suliati owned Dahash will carry Qatar’s hopes in this Euros 25,000 contest. The Ronald Martino trained TM Fred Texas goes into the race after his spectacular victory in the President of UAE Cup in Batlimore recently. TM Fred Texas had also etched his name in the history books while scripting Qatar’s second success in the Kahayla Classic at Dubai in March. Marvin Suerland has been to ride TM Fred Texas who goes into the race as the overwhelming favourite. Alban de Mieulle trained Al Tair is another with immense potential which can stretch the best. Al Tair will be ridden by Oliver Peslier. Julian Smart trained Mu’Azzaz with Robert Winston on the saddle is another strong contender, while Mieulle’s other ward Dahash (Pierantonio Convertino astride) has the potential to raise a winning gallop but will have contend with the challenge of TM Fred Texas, Al Tair and Mu’Azzaz. The other two in the fray are Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed owned Ghalib and Huub Otermans’ Poulain Kossack of Holland. QREC sponsored today’s race card of nine races also include Qatar Prix Vermeille, Qatar Prix Niel, Qatar Prix Foy, which are trial races for Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. A total stake money of Euros 1.3 million on offer to the winners. The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend will commence with the Qatar Arabian Trophy for Fillies and Qatar Total Arabian Trophy for Colts at Saint Cloud racecourse on October 5 and the Qatar Arabian Trophy for Mares at Longchamp racecourse on October 6. It will culminate in the running of the Qatar Arabian World Cup and Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to be run at the Longchamp racecourse in Paris on October 7, 2012. From GT