Aneed Al Shahania (Azadi x Al Anga) took Race 3, the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy, a Local Purebred Arabian contest over 2000m (Class 1) for four-year-olds and upwards, with nine runners lining up for the day’s first feature. The six-year-old grey horse, racing in the colours of HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, from the Rudy Nerbonne yard and with Lukas Delozier doing the steering, returned to winning form following two runner-up efforts, producing a sustained late run to score by three and three-quarter lengths while his trainer completed a double on the day. Held up towards the rear through the early and middle stages, Aneed Al Shahania travelled comfortably as the race unfolded, with Mou’nes Al Shahania (Harran ASF) racing prominently in third throughout, ensuring a solid tempo was maintained at the head of affairs. As the field approached the straight, Zah’ran Al Shahania (Azadi), who had also been positioned towards the rear for much of the journey, began to make headway, moving into contention alongside the eventual winner. Inside the final 200m, Aneed Al Shahania asserted decisively, quickening past his rivals and putting the race to bed with authority. Zah’ran Al Shahania, representing North Racing and prepared by Hamad Al-Jehani, stayed on under Pierre Charles Boudot to take second, just a short head ahead of Mou’nes Al Shahania, who kept on for HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, also from the Rudy Nerbonne stable, with Alberto Sanna aboard, after racing prominently but feeling the effects of earlier exertions in the closing stages.