Arabian Racing Review
Wolverhampton 8th June
by Paul Simmons

Free Racing On Dubai Day Maiden 3yrs old and over 7 Furlongs:
A decent field went to post and they went a fair clip throughout, with several in with a chance as they turned into the home straight. As they hit the final furlong it was nip and tuck all the way to the post with Hidalgo, Billoube and Qawaafil all being ridden to lead, Hidalgo (Samern x Pella De La Coste) lead only to be headed inside the last half furlong, but this game young colt and at 3 the youngest in the race showed plenty of guts and resolution to get up on the line to win under a masterful ride from Steve Harrison for owner Julie Kelway. Winning trainer Angela Colledge has always held this powerful young colt in high regard and said afterwards “He is a very nice colt”. Hidalog is entered in the juvenile race on Dubai Day and is one for the short list based on this battling victory. Billoube ran a blinder on his debut for owner/trainer Mark Wall, powering home in the straight and making the winner pull out all the stops. Whilst Qawaafil surprised many with a speedy showing, this well bred filly clearly has plenty of pace and she fought hard in the final furlong and looks a nice prospect.

The Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap 0-65 over 1 Mile:
Delyth Thomas string is getting a fearful reputation on the all weather and her grand old servant Pavot Al Kyle (Pavot Al Maury x Ellaria) showed all the young guns how it should be done here with another tough battling victory under Champion Jockey Simon Walker, pulling clear at the line by a length from his better fancied stablemate Ajyaal. The latter ran well and is coming to hand, his turn is near. Whilst Raihan another confirmed all weather lover was finishing thick and fast on her favoured surface and was gaining with every stride at the line, finishing a short head back in third.

The Al Ras Maiden Stakes 3yrs old and over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
A small but select field. Try My Best (Khairouan x Tidjana) has been doing just that with some good recent efforts on the track, Champion Jockey Simon Walker looked very confident on him and he was always cruising before pushing the button in the final furlong and pulling clear of Alsharq who was chasing hard in his wake. The latter is progressing nicely but doesn’t look to be quite as smart as some of its stablemates. Whilst Al Fairooz ran well in third, staying on dourly in the final furlong.

The Shindgha Handicap Stakes 0-50 over 6 Furlongs:
Serabitibi (Abitibi x Seralycia) has always been a likeable filly and has been progressing nicely this term, however, here she came of age in style for the Malpass family. Handily placed she showed the field a clean pair of heels in the home straight and skipped clear to win by half a length to lose her maiden tag impressively under a well timed ride from Barry Adams. Egypt once again ran a blinder under owner/trainer/jockey Caroline De Wilde, flying home in the final furlong and again almost getting up on the line, she deserves to win soon.

The Al Wasl FC Stakes Conditions over 6 Furlongs:
Angel Picamer (Amer x Picea HT) keeps getting better and better, this is a serious filly and she showed the field her complete disdain with a power packed sprinting display, giving Simon Walker his third win of the day. This game mare owned and bred by long time racing supporter Zelda Angel, won a listed handicap on Dubai Day last year and on this basis looks capable of stepping up in class for trainer Bill Smith. Mutafani had some useful form in the UAE over the winter and ran well here on his UK debut, he chased the winner all the way but was never nearer. Whilst Zormania was always handy but couldn’t up her pace in the final furlong and was well beaten back in third.

The Nad Al Sheba Handicap Stakes 0-90 over 1 Mile:
A very competitive handicap with several Derby hopefuls on display, but in the end it was last season leading UK juvenile Prince Dormant (Prince Orient x Iktidar) who threw down the gauntlet for the Derby with a superb display under a very in form Simon Walker. He was always going well and pulled clear in the manner of a serious colt to win by a decent three lengths at the line for US based owner/breeder Lisa Deymonaz and gave trainer Dennis Batteate his first winner of the season. Back in second was stablemate and useful performer Benamer, who was chasing hard all the way and was clear of the field. Whilst Final Fling is proving that his big Kempton win last year was no fluke with another game effort here back in third.