Review : Arabian Racing Wolverhampton 5th May
By Paul Simmons

1. Palm Strip Maiden Stakes over 7 Furlongs:
Dennis Batteate celebrated a winner with his first runner as a trainer when James Kippens smartly bred colt Benamer (Amer x Bengaliya (Bengali D’Albret)) fought a tough battle Angela Colledge’s useful recruit Carazan (Makzan x Baccara De Carrere (Djourman)), in the end Benamer got home by a tight neck, whislt Sam Davison’s nicely bred newcomer Debrett (Bengali D’Albret x Djeba El Mels (Dormane)) was an eye catching two lengths back in third.

2. The Al Ras Open Race over 1 Mile 4 Furlongs (PBA, AA & TB’s):
Hot favourite Fraternity (Grand Lodge x Catawba) made most of the running and looked to have the race in the bag coming into the home straight but Son Of Sophie (Band on the Run x Fair Enchantress) benefiting from a superb ride from Champion jockey Phil Collington was always travelling well and kicked clear in the final furlong to win by a length and half. Whilst Arab racing regular David Paton’s useful newcomer Kings Cavalier (Stormin Fever x Port of Silver) ran an eye catching race in third. La Perruche the only PBA in the race was a respectable fourth for Philip Rondel.

3. The Shindagha Handicap Stakes 0-75 over 6 Furlongs:
Earlsdon (Akbar x Elgonda) started the season as he finished the last with a decent victory. He tracked pace setter Operatic (Vert Olive x Operetta (Silver Scenario)) all the way into the home straight then made his move under a determined ride from Simon Walker before powering clear to win by two and a half lengths. Rampart (Bengali D’Albret x WMA Racheal) was held up with a run and was coming thick and fast at the end but didn’t quite get there, whilst Operatic ran his usual sound race and stayed on for third.

4. The Holiday Inn Stakes (Conditions) over 1 Mile:
No Risk Al Maury and Malik D’or cut out the running in the early stages and left the rest of the field in their wake, as they turned into the straight the writing was on the wall as No Risk Al Maury (Kesberoy x Nectarine Al Maury) gained revenge on Malik for last years defeat bursting clear in the final furlong to win by an easy six lengths for Champion trainer Gill Duffield. Malik D’or (Dormane x Malika Fontenay) stayed on for second twelve lengths ahead of Deolali (Khairouan x Operetta).

5. The Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap Stakes 0-45 over 6 Furlongs:
Rachel Illman is rapidly gaining respect for her plucky handicappers and Bodiddle who had some useful form last season threw down the gauntlet for the sprint handicap division with a confident victory under a fine ride from Sam Holdsworth. Always travelling well Bodiddle (Crystal Monarch x Silver Magnolia) came clear in the final half furlong to repel the late charge of CS Lafaz (Sambist x Kilcummer Lalla) who came with a wet sail but was two lengths adrift. Whislt Bonham (Bakara x Bonnie Jet) looked a reformed character for new connections another length back in third.

6. The Wild Wadi Maiden Stakes over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
Successful Welsh based trainer Delyth Thomas unleashed a potential superstar when Noble Athlete (Dorwan Du Cayrou x Noble Dame) -Top lot when bought from Ascot Sales Aug 2006- out galloped HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s beautifully bred filly Hathrah (Makzan x Ester Du Paon) to win the second maiden by a length and a half. Whilst the Colin Banks owned Estival (Khairouan x Viny De Passerat (Dormane)) caught the eye running on for third.

7. The Al Wasl Handicap Stakes 0-60 over 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
Floren (Bengali D’Albret x Florys De Nautiac) made light of a minimal 2006 season by galloping from start to finish leading the field a merry dance under owner/trainer/jockey Theresa Smith to win on his seasonal debut and is one to keep an eye on. Mehshiv (Normativ x Mehsha) ran his usual brave race in second chasing the winner all the way and going down by a length and a quarter, with the ever game and consistent SA Bibi (Abitibi x Florich) bravely lugging top weight to an admirable third.

8. The Nad Al Sheba Handicap Stakes 0-90 over 1 Mile:
They went no pace at all during this race and after crawling along the early furlongs it descended into a sprint in the final three furlongs which didn’t suit the field. That said Albaab (Jehol De Cardonne x Silvena (Klarnet)) won with plenty in hand to retain her unbeaten record and she looks firmly on the upgrade giving owner HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and champion trainer Gill Duffield a double for the day. Sabden (Bengali D’Albret x Sambella) wasn’t suited by the muddling pace and was another three lengths back in third ahead of Fedor Du Bournais (Djouras Tu x Cosete Du Bournais).