Arabian
Racing Review
Newmarket Derby Wednesday 9th July
by Paul Simmons
Newmarket - The Hydra Properties Challenge Group 1 Derby (4yrs
old only) over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
They
didn’t hang around in this competitive renewal of
the Group 1 Arabian Derby with the principals ensuring there
was a good pace from the start and as the field powered into
the final two furlongs it soon became apparent that odds on favourite
Nashwan Al Khalidiah and Simmbad were going the best as they
quickened the pace and went for home. Inside the final furlong
it was Olivier Peslier who was going best on the Saudi Arabian
bred Nashwan Al Khalidiah (Tiwaiq x Rayyan (Bengali D’Albret)) – owned
by Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Saud - and he showed a devastating
turn of foot inside the final half furlong to go clear by two
lengths at the line for trainer Monsieur Bernard (landing this
race for the second year running for Prince Khalid Bin Sultan
Al Saud). Back in second was a brave run from the winners stablemate
Simmbad (Njewman x Vert Amande) – also owned by Prince
Khalid Bin Sultan Al Saud- who had every chance inside the final
furlong but couldn’t match the finishing power of the winner;
that said he was ten lengths clear of the field at the line and
Prince Khalid looks to have two superb colts for the future.
The Georgina Ward trained Mu’Azzaz (Amer x Massamarie)
ran a superb race on his debut for owner HH Sheikh Mohammed Al
Thani, running in such competitive company he acquitted himself
well and fought hard in the final furlong to hold off HH Sheikh
Hamdan’s Al Mannsoub.