Samsa Al Shahania (Assy x Salma Al Khalediah) made a successful Qatar debut in Race 6, a Purebred Arabian Novice Plate for 5YO+ over 2000m, a Class 5 contest with five runners, delivering a clear-cut success by 2¼ lengths. The lightly raced six-year-old bay horse, who had previously shown promise at Group level in France, doubled his career tally for Al Shahania Stud, under the guidance of trainer Rudy Nerbonne and with Lukas Delozier executing a measured ride. Settling into fourth in the early stages, Samsa Al Shahania raced ahead of Yaqoob (Al Mourtajez) as Awamir (No Risk Al Maury) set a steady tempo from the front, followed by Jeb’ran Al Shahania (Amer) and Safeer Al Shahania (Munjiz). After the first 200m, the order behind the leader reshuffled, with Yaqoob moving up, then Jeb’ran Al Shahania, Samsa Al Shahania and Safeer Al Shahania, the field remaining compact and unchanged through the middle stages. Approaching the home turn, Awamir lifted the pace, prompting Jeb’ran Al Shahania to move closer into second and then take over shortly after entering the straight. However, Samsa Al Shahania was immediately produced with purpose and, showing a sharp turn of foot, quickly latched onto the new leader before sweeping past within a couple of strides. Once in front, Samsa Al Shahania asserted decisively, pulling clear to put the race beyond doubt. Jeb’ran Al Shahania stayed on to secure second for H.E. Sheikha Iman bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani, also trained by Rudy Nerbonne to complete a one-two for the stable, while Awamir, having done the early work, battled on bravely to take third for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and trainer Zuhair Mohsen under Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri, paying for his early exertions over the staying trip.