HM Alchahine Canters to Victory in the
Gr.1 Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon
JDG
HM Alchahine (Al Mourtajez), a powerful 5-year-old colt, produced a sparkling performance to win the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon. Hardly asked a question by his rider, he cantered home under a hands-and-heels ride to secure the second Group 1 success of his career.
Trained by Mme Jean-François Bernard, ridden by Cristian Demuro, and owned by Helal Alalawi, HM Alchahine came into the race off a victory in the Gr.2 (PA) over 1600m at Hamburg-Horn, adding to his earlier Gr.2 and Gr.1 wins this season. This latest triumph confirmed his position among the very best of the Purebred Arabian division.
As expected, Al Zwair (TM Fred Texas) set a strong pace in front, with HM Alchahine tracking in fourth, a few lengths off Luwsail (Al Mourtajez). Positions remained unchanged as the leader pressed on, with Djafar(Dahess) and Luwsail closing steadily from behind. Moving closer to the pace, Hm Alchahine was travelling supremely well and angled to the outside at the entrance to the final straight.
While his rivals came under pressure, HM Alchahine cruised effortlessly, Demuro motionless in the saddle. Without being asked for maximum effort, he swept clear, ears pricked, even shifting slightly left inside the final 50m. Winning with ease, he crossed the line four and a half lengths in front. Luwsail stayed on for second, with Moshrif (Dahess) finishing third.
Winning trainer said after the race: “He’s a true champion. There’s going to be a great race on Arc day. I feel reassured. I’m not saying I’m going to win, although I’ve thought so for three months. I learned that everything truly suits him: every racecourse, every track layout, every climate. It’s extraordinary. He’s the champion of champions. I must say that the horse will stay in Chantilly, of course under my supervision with my riders, for a month, so we don’t have to repeat the transport and the trip back to La Teste. We’re going to improve him since we’ll train on the Chantilly tracks. He remains unbeaten under my training. Once again, he’ll face Al Ghadeer, You’re going to say I’m crazy but I don’t think he can beat him, I’m sure of it.”
Bred by H. Mousli and Mme N. Mousalli, Hm Alchahine is out of Al Chyhanah (Munjiz) and is a full brother to Hm Al Zalmaa (Al Mourtajez), a Gr.1 (PA) winner over 2000m at three and successful over 1400m at the same age. Al Chyhanah is a half-sister to Al Seif (Tidjani), a winner over 1700m at four, and to Al Mouzna (Dormane), runner-up over 2000m at three. |
