Hereford 14th July – Arab Racing Preview
By Paul Simmons
Race
1 – The
Ward Estates Ltd Maiden over 1 Mile 1 Furlongs:
Mustajib (Vadeer x Mangana) was always handily placed throughout
the race by Simon Walker, settled nicely in behind until cruising
behind Pacific Way entering the final two furlongs, he kicked
on inside the final furlong but was all out to hold off the
relentless challenge of Pacific Way (Way To Go x Bacifica),
who looks to be a smart prospect and is a name to note for
the future. Musaayar (Jehol De Cardonne x Silvena) was disappointing
back ten lengths back in third and looks to league’s
behind talented FULL sibling Albaab.
Race
2 – The Brightwells OPEN race (TBs, AA & PBAs)
over 7 Furlongs:
An incident packed race with the market leaders being out of
contention with Night Cap finishing the race injured and Inchmarlow
unshipping his jockey inside the final furlong. That said Bold
Maggie (Bold Edge x Vera’s First) opened her account in
fine style coming with a wet sail inside the final furlong to
pull four lengths clear of a brave Tamagotchi (Lord David S x
Fleurbienka) back in second to give the unstoppable owner/trainer/jockey
Katie James yet another winner in this sphere. Back in third
was Take The Plunge (Benny The Dip x Pearly River) who ran a
race full of promise running on well inside the final furlong
and was only half a length back from Tamagotchi in third.
Race
3 – The
Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap Stakes 0-50 over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
Mushammer (Passem Lotois x Kawzah Tiki) gained his third win
of the campaign to fully justify owner/trainer Carol Legg’s
faith in him. He was prominent throughout and was given a skilful
ride by Danny Burton who brought him to lead inside the final
furlong before upping the pace inside the final furlong and staying
on gamely to deny Ajyaal (Bengali D’Albret x Silvena).
The latter was a little unlucky as he came with his run inside
the final furlong and was flying at the finish and might well
have got up in another furlong. Dakota Willow (Estamera x CR
Bint Natalie) was third and looks to be coming into form and
stuck to her task determinedly to hold off Shereik.
Race
4 – The
Brunton Handicap Stakes 0-75 over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs:
Jaxy King (The Wiking x Djaxy Des Forges) could scarcely have
been more impressive outstaying his rivals in dour fashion here
on his handicap debut, held up in behind by a confident Simon
Walker, he came with his run inside the last three furlongs to
pull clear and win by a comfortable five lengths at the line,
give jockey Simon Walker and trainer Bill Smith a double (also
first race winner for progressive sire The Wiking owned by HH
Sheikh Mohammed). Consider Me (Dormane x Reconsider) had no chance
with his stable mate but looked to appreciate the step up in
trip, he kept on one paced in the final furlong but was never
nearer. Operatic (Vert Olive x Operetta) ran his usual game race
back in third and was in turn clear of Notid.
Race
5 – The
Newcomer Handicap Stakes 0-60 over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs:
Lile D’Amour (Merlin Al Maury x Daad) is a tough mare and
was ridden with panache by promising young jockey Robert Flint
who had her held up in the field before seizing the initiative
inside the final three furlongs and going for home, he had to
pull out all the stops as Mehshiv (Normativ x Mehsha) was being
hard driven in behind and was gaining with every stride at the
line going down bravely by a head; he deserves to win soon. Floren
(Bengali D’Albret x Florys De Nautiac) was plugging on
for third and appears to be in the grip of the handicapper at
present.
Race
6 – The Shaw & Fox
OPEN race over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs:
Katie James yard is on fire at the moment and she took this
race extremely easily on market leader Cordage (Dr Fong x Flagship)
who ended up winning in a hack canter, he quickened clear inside
the final furlong and was a good twenty lengths clear at the
line of Rue De L’Opera (L’Estragon x Rue De Cirque),
with Barbilyrifle (Indian Rocket x Age of Elegance) again failing
to fire back in third.
Race
7 – The
Jebel Ali Handicap Stakes 0-70 over 7 Furlongs:
Man of the moment Simon Walker is riding out of his skin this
season and rode yet another confident race on handicap debutant
Firstwan (Dorwan Du Cayrou x First Alizee) to cruise home in
this race to give him and boss Bill Smith a treble on the day
and owner HH Sheikh Mohammed a double. Always prominent throughout
he kicked on in the straight and came home easily inside the
final furlong to win by a good four lengths. Back in second
was Pavot Al Kyle (Pavot Al Maury x Ellaria) who looks to be
coming to hand, he rallied hard inside the final furlong to
snatch second off the tough The Way To Go (Way To Go x Nepenthes
Al Maury) who continues to impress this season.
Race
8 – The
Anglo Arab Handicap Stakes 0-140 over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
Curupanna (Opera Ghost x Easter Panic) stretched her unbeaten
record to three for this campaign and looks almost untouchable,
given a superb ride by Sam Holdsworth this game mare was held
up behind the leader before taking the lead inside the straight
and coming home five lengths too good for La Perruche (L’Estragon
x Iron Bird). The latter ran well and was finishing with a flurry
inside the final furlong but tends to need further to be seen
to best effect. Hardtoback (Norton Challenger x Harem VII) ran
well in third he was rallying hard inside the straight and was
unlucky not to hold onto 2nd inside the final furlong.