Arabian Racing Review
Fontwell Park 15th June
by Paul Simmons

1st race– The Angel Arabian Maiden Stakes 3yrs old + over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
They went a break neck pace from the start with the young guns Sifan and Star Valentina taking each other on the for the lead. Coming into the home straight Phil Collington was cruising on Alsharq (Al Sakbe x Valina Des Fabries), she showed a useful turn of foot in the final furlong, but Maakar was snapping at her heels with every stride; and these game fillies went head to head all the way to the line with a fine display of jockey-man-ship from both Rhys Flint and Collington. In the end Alsharq just held on by a nose to claim victory for trainer Gill Duffield and HH Sheikh Hamdan. Whilst Maakar (Karmah x Mesange Al Maury) is by far the best of dam’s progeny to race, and unlike her wayward siblings she possesses not only ability but an excellent attitude, she looks more than capable of landing a maiden this season; and full credit to jockey Rhys for clinging on with the saddle on the slide until after the line. Al Bashiq (Makzan x Mubarakah) for Julian Smart/Royal Cavalry of Oman ran another solid race in third and was staying on at the end, he’ll be interesting proposition over staying trips.

2nd race – The Powells of Coolham Handicap Stakes 0-70 over 7 Furlongs:
Owner/trainer Beverley Paterson started the season as she means to go on with her first runner Nenette (Makzan x Nelenghara) – an impressive winner of her only start last season when trained by Georgina Ward. This eye catching Makzan daughter was held up with a run at the back of the field and talented jockey Kevin Locking (riding in his first Arab race), brought the filly into contention inside the home straight powering clear in the final furlong to kick clear for an easy three length victory. Muhal (Amer x Babelia) did well to finish so close, he was travelling well until bumped with four furlongs to run and he did well to recover to bring himself into contention inside the final furlong and his turn is near. Whilst Pacific Way (Way To Go x Bacifica) returned to form with a superb late flourish inside the final two furlongs, grabbing the stands rail and was staying on well at the finish.

3rd race –The Harwood Arabian Stud Handicap Stakes over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs:
CS Al Wahed is a decent old war horse, and he led the field a good strong gallop throughout to make sure it was a thorough test of stamina, he upped the pace in the back straight before Malik D’Or took over to lead in the home straight. But CS Al Wahed wasn’t going to be denied and battled back to take the advantage in the final furlong with a one paced Malid D’Or sending out the distress signals, but Taabeer was being stoked along by an in form Collington; and as Taabeer (Vasilisk x Bisbille) and CS Al Wahed (Bengali D’Albret x Cikada) battled it out in the final strides it was HH Shiekh Hamdan’s runner that just got up from the Brunton’s tough gelding. Malik D’Or (Dormane x Malika Fontenay) was disappointing back in third.

4th race – The Royal Cavalry of Oman Handicap Stakes 0-95 over 7 Furlongs:
A slight shock here as odds on favourite and Qatar Derby winner Magadir was turned over, although to be fair she didn’t handle the track with its tight turns. That said Jelvita (Njewman x Vite Amine) was a very impressive winner for owner/trainer Sue Herrod, she was always travelling well under Sam Holdsworth who brought her to challenge inside the final furlong, and she bolted home down the centre of the track in style to win. Shuhood (Bengali D’Albret x Shunah) ran a blinder in second and looks very much on the upgrade, always handy, he was flying in the final furlong and was starting to reel in the winner in the closing stages. Whilst Alize Safinat (Tidjani x Al Din) made a very eye catching UK debut, she was travelling well throughout and made good headway in the closing stages to come through down the stands rail to hold of Madid.

5th race – The Vectis Insurance Services Handicap 0-85 over 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
Former UK Derby winning trainer Georgina Ward has had a tremendous season in her first year as a trainer to HH Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani (owner of the powerful Al Shahania Farms) out in the UAE. Ward has a good team in the UK and unleashed a potential superstar here with Falak (Amer x Feline Du Cassou) showing plenty of guts and determination under a well judged ride from David Turner to win on his UK debut, he showed plenty of speed inside the final furlong to outstay Hellow and win going away by two lengths, giving HH Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani his first UK winner. Speaking afterwards Ward said “He’s a nice colt and is improving with every run, he’ll take his chance in the UK Derby now”. Hellow (Kesberoy x Hafia De Faust) looked very well before hand and ran a superb race in second, leading the field a good pace throughout and battling back when headed to claim second. Quorman Des Vialettes (Dormane x Khandela Des Vialette) was held up with a run, and was brought with his effort inside the home straight and had every chance but couldn’t get past the winner and lost second close home, he could be interesting if he reappears over 10 furlongs.

6th race – The Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap 0-50 over 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
Serabitibi (Abitibi x Seralycia) scored her second win on the bounce for the Malpass family, this tough mare was held up at the rear by jockey Barry Adams; she moved smoothly up through the pack in the closing furlongs and as long time leader Abra started to tire made her move and ran on well inside the final furlong, but she was all out inside the final furlong as Abra (Dormane x Djoula) challenged her every yard to the line. Abra ran a brilliant race in second, she set off like a scalded cat and as the field tried to reel her this tough old mare kept going all the way to the line and was unlucky not to get home. She is on a handy mark and should be winning soon. Whilst Anganate Safinat (Manganate x Astree) was fighting hard inside the final furlong and was staying on strongly in the closing stages but couldn’t quite reach the first two, his turn is near.