Arabian
Racing Review
Hereford 2nd August
by Paul Simmons
The Rhondaa Maiden 3yrs old and over 7 Furlongs:
A brave bold victory for Gill Duffield’s smart mare Petraunille
(Al Sakbe x My Princess) - owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan – who
was given a powerful ride by Phil Collington who had her disputing
the lead for the majority of the race before asserting herself
and making all, she wandered a little in the final furlong and
was all out in the shadow of the post to hold onto victory. Yaqoot
(Darike x Nirva De Cardonne) caught the eye again, she was held
up with a run and made smooth progress in the final two furlongs
and quickened clear in the final furlong and was gaining the
winner at every stride and lost out by a short head, she should
be winning soon. Whilst Billoube (Bengali D’Albret x Billou
Al Maury) helped force the pace in the first few furlongs before
being relegated to 2nd, he lost third inside the final two furlongs
and was all out inside the last half furlong to hold off Sam
Davison’s fast finishing Iraqi recruit – Al Harith.
The Jebel Ali Handicap 0-65 over 2 Miles:
Another superb staying handicap with Debrett and Notid fighting
out a titanic battle in the final furlong for victory. Debrett
made virtually all from the start under an assertive ride from
David Turner, but inside the final furlong Anna Wallace was
galvanising a monumental effort from the David Paton trained
Notid (Tidjani x Sherrie Noreen), who was finishing like a
train and she rode a superb race to get this tough old gelding
in front at the line by a nose. Debrett (Bengali D’Albret
x Djeba Al Mels) lost nothing in defeat and perhaps threw his
chance away at the crossing, he clearly loves this track though
and relished the stamina sapping trip. Whilst Blu By You (Khairouan
x Billou Al Maury) ran another solid race back in third for
owner/trainer/jockey Mark Wall but was never nearer.
The
Royal Cavalry of Oman Juvenile Stakes (3 & 4 yr olds)
over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
Georgina Ward unleashed another potential superstar when HH Sheikh
Mohammed Al Thani’s homebred colt Mu’Azzaz (Amer
x Massmarie) made all for an impressive victory to lose his maiden
tag, the 1-6 Fav gave his supporters and jockey Simon Walker
a scare when nearly lunging off the course four furlongs from
home, but champion jockey kept him up to his work to win by two
lengths. The Royal Cavalry of Oman’s UAE winner Zoumir
(Dormane El Ouarda) ran well in second, he disputed the lead
briefly before being passed by Inshaad, but rallied well in the
final furlong to take second again ahead of a one paced Inshaad
(Al Sakbe x Aksarka).
The Royal Cavalry of Oman Handicap 0-75 over 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
Another excellent riding performance from Anna Wallace – landing
a double on the day, she had David Paton’s smart handicapper
Gazal (Sambist x Shout For Joy) held up with a run before making
her move inside the final three furlongs and drew clear inside
the final furlong for an easy seven length victory. Benoire (Bengali
D’Albret x Aicha Croixnoire) ran well in second, he led
until the four furlong marker and stayed on dourly in the closing
stages ahead of his one paced stablemate Majestic De Piboul (Dormane
x Magreba De Piboul).
The Jebel Ali Handicap 0-50 over 1 Mile 1 Furlongs:
Helen Bona has her team in fine form this season, and scored
yet again here with here plucky old mare Lady Marisha (Nevesti
x Shimmering Spektra) who is in her early teens. Steve Harrison
rode a well judged race settling nicely in behind Benny The
Dip, he made his move on Lady Marisha inside the final furlong
and she responded in fine style to run for a length victory.
Back in second was Yucel Mehmet’s Bibi Royale (Abitibi
x Chaldensford Royal Independence) who was returning to form,
he was held up throughout and made good progress in the closing
stages before rallying hard in the final furlong to take second
from an all out Benny The Dip (Bengali D’Albret x Duiker).
