Qatar- Jalela dazzles again by winning Prix Nefta

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) The Peninsula Al Shaqab Racing's homebred Jalela (FR) (Mister Ginoux x Nefertarie) made a victorious comeback in the Sheikh Mansour Festival - Prix Nefta (Gr2 PA) at Toulouse yesterday. Jalela, with Jerome Cabre in the saddle, did not take much time as she immediately took the lead and no one could really get near her in the straight line. In a race devoid of pace, she mastered Yas Horse Racing Management's Elaf (Rabbah de Carrère x Mowafaka) by two and a half lengths. The runner-up is trained by X. Thomas-Demeaulte and was ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal. Mehdi Benmessaoud's Zarra Star (Azadi x Larissa Star) was three quarters of a length behind to collect third for trainer O. Trigodet and jockey Antoine Werle. Jalela had finished second in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches (Gr1 PA) before opening her account in the Prix Nevada II (Gr3 PA). Her trainer, Thomas Fourcy, said: 'She was certainly fitter than her rivals. She's a good filly and was fully entitled to win such a race. She could tackle older mares later on in the season. Bred by Al Shaqab, Jalela is part of the first crop of the stallion Mister Ginoux. The dam, Nefertarie (Mahabb), has already produced Al Ghashamiya (General), and the latter, too, finished second in the Qatar Arabian Trophy for fillies (Gr1 PA). Light Stars wins Prix Caravelle Light Stars (Sea The Stars) delivered a stellar performance in the Prix Caravelle - Haras des Granges (L), after coming from last to first and firmly putting the opposition in its place. Co-owned by Claude Marzooco and Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya, the filly made a winning debut at Cagnes-sur-Mer on January 28th, before proving slightly disappointing in the Prix Durban (Class 1) at Saint-Cloud. However, at Toulouse yesterday, she won in the style of a group class filly. The mount of Christophe Soumillon initially brought up the rear on the rails. She remained in that position, and was even a little detached from the rest of the pack down the backstretch. In the straight, Light Stars got the ‘split' between Jalwa (Shalaa) and Dream In My Head (Golden Horn) and thrust herself in the thick of the action. By now in full cry, Light Stars showed sharp powers of acceleration which enabled her to cut through the field in a few strides and win without forcing her talent. She prevailed by two and a half lengths from Lingering Dream (Oasis Dream). The latter, similarly, showed improved form after finishing fifth and last but one in the Prix Rose de Mai (L). Aspirante (Myboycharlie) was another case in point, as she ran on well to claim third place - a length and three quarters further behind. She was coming off a disappointing effort in the Prix Maurice Caillault (L). Winning trainer JeanClaude Rouget told Equidia: 'We wanted to ride her for a place because we were disappointed by her performance at Saint-Cloud last time. By allowing her the time to find her feet, Light Stars was in a position to deliver a wicked finishing kick. She won in the style of good filly. We will give her the necessary time to recover from her efforts.MENAFN26042021000063011010ID1101983262