Fontwell Park 16th June Arabian Racing Review:
By Paul Simmons
Race
1 – The
Mrs Calvert Memorial Maiden over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
The impeccably bred and evens favourite Mutafanen (Makzan x
Simooma (Vadeer)) won with some authority pulling clear in
the final
furlong under a strong ride from Champion jockey Phil Collington
to give trainer Gill Duffield and owner HH Sheikh Hamdan a good
start to the day. The winner holds a Derby entry and it will
be interesting to see him line up. Two and half lengths back
in second was the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Al Bashiq (Makzan
x Mubarakah) who stuck determinedly to his task inside the final
furlong to hold onto second just half a length ahead of impressive
debutant Aberfeldy (Amer x Zeinah (Samsheik)). Gill Plumbley’s
useful looking mare Pacific Way (Way To Go x Bacifica) was staying
on well in fourth.
Race
2 – The
Secure Site UK Handicap Stakes over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs:
Phil Collington secured his second win of the day for trainer
Gill Duffield and HH Sheikh Hamdan when riding a confident race
on the favourite Taabeer (Vasilisk x Bisbille) in the stayers
handicap, he always looked in command and is at the top of his
game this season. Back in second was stablemate Muzmin (Pepe
Le Moco x Synaps) who was eight lengths adrift on the line but
three lengths clear of the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Badee
(Al Masroor x Morjanah).
Race
3 – The
Powells Of Coolham Maiden Stakes over 7 Furlongs:
A well deserved win for talented first UK season trainer Julian
Smart when Mr A Al Siyabi rode a determined victory on the
Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Nahdah (Amer x Budoor) who was
made to pull out all the stops to get up on the line by the
shortest of heads from Bill Smith’s talented newcomer
Chazan (Makzan x Aicha Croixnoire). Back in third was Gill
Duffield’s racing debutant Furaat (Djebbel x Mandoline
Song) who kept on determinedly from Karang (Karmah x CR Angel
Kate).
Race
4 – The
BXPS Racing Handicap Stakes 0-50 over 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
They went a decent pace in this staying handicap but with three
furlongs to go the race was between the market leaders Fair Deed
Dash, Kizhi and El Chenz. Inside the final two furlongs Steve
Harrison drove El Chenz into the lead but Kizhi wasn’t
going to be denied and the two pulled clear of Fair Deed Dash
with Kizhi (Khairouan x Sucha) under an inspired ride from Champion
jockey Phil Collington just getting up on the line by a half
length from El Chenz. Kizhi ran well under top weight to give
trainer Sam Davison and owner Linda Cross their first win of
the season. El Chenz (Chatanz x Elita (Galeon)) lost nothing
in defeat and remains on the upgrade, whilst Fair Deed Dash (Dedja
Des Forges x TFA Ashajan) ran well on her seasonal debut and
will be sharper next time out.
Race
5 – The
Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap Stakes 0-80 over 7 Furlongs:
The luckless Wahchi wasn’t going to be denied in close
run race and duly opened his account to repay trainer Bill Smiths
faith in him. CS Khan set a blistering pace from the start going
several lengths clear in the early stages, as he got tired in
the home straight Wahchi and Roches Du Cayrou swept past before
fighting out the finish in the final furlong, with Wahchi (Vadeer
x Synaps) refusing to be denied this time and winning by a cosy
three lengths on the line under a power packed ride from Simon
Walker. Roches Du Cayrou (Newday x Kahinaoura) looks to be coming
to hand for owner trainer Delyth Thomas, and was two lengths
clear of CS Khan (Khairoaun x Cikada (Klarnet)) who ran a very
brave race to finish third ahead of Cal Mora Pretender.
Race
6 – The Clark Brownscombe Open Race over 1 Mile 2
Furlongs:
Hot favourite Fraternity (Grand Lodge x Catawba) scored his hatrick
with the minimum of fuss for owner/trainer/ jockey Miss K James,
always in command he wound the tempo up in the straight and powered
six lengths clear of Sue Connally’s useful looking Inchmarlow
(Cape Cross x Glenstal Priory), who finished four lengths ahead
of Cordage (Dr Fong x Flagship).
Race
7 – The
Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap Stakes 0-60 over 1 Mile:
16/1 shot Gazal caused an upset when winning on his handicap
debut much to the bookers delights who must have been hammered
by a succession of favourite’s coming in. Gazal (Sambist
x Body Heat) wasn’t disgraced in either his maidens but
the penny appears to have dropped and he fought a gallant battle
to the line to hold on a neck from the battle hardened Mehshiv,
to give trainer David Paton and the BXPS team their first winner
of the season. Mehshiv (Normativ x Mehsha) is a little war horse
and was desperately unlucky not to get up on the line, his turn
is near. Whilst back in third was Delyth Thomas’s ever
consistent Pavot Al Kyle (Pavot Al Maury x Ellaria) who held
on by a length from Carol Legg’s Mushammer.
Race
8 – The Penn Challenge Handicap (AA & PBA)
over 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
Philip Greenwood who had such a good season last year started
as he means to go on when sending out smart anglo handicapper
Currupanna (Opera Ghost x Easter Panic) who clearly appreciated
the good to soft ground, she kicked clear in the final furlong
under a positive ride from Sam Holdsworth to give Mrs Mason her
first Arab racing winner. Tamagotchi (Lord David S x Fleurbienka)
was staying on determinedly in second and should be winning soon,
whilst the favourite Madrison (L’Estragon x Madrisa) was
slightly disappointing eight lengths back in third.