Arabian
Racing Review
Wolverhampton 27th September
by Paul Simmons
The Bani Yas Square Maiden Stakes over 1 Mile:
Gill Duffield unleashed yet another potential superstar for patron
HH Sheikh Hamdan when the impeccably bred Ayun (Jehol De Cardonne
x Volna) romped home to a devastating five length victory in
this maiden, in doing so making the rest of the field look
very ordinary. Secondwan led them till the two furlong marker
going a fair clip, but Phil Collington had plenty of horse
beneath him and let Ayun burst clear in the final furlong to
win as he liked. Tidarbret (Bengali D’Albret x Iktidar)
ran a sound race back in second, he looked to be staying on
at the finish and was kept up to his work to hold off the field
and was a good two lengths clear of the third Maaloof (Makzan
x Ietlato De Carrere), who got the better of a battle with
Secondwan inside the final half furlong.
The Bait Al Wakeel Handicap Stakes 0-50 over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs:
The highly tried but clearly talented Sheriek (Frere Des Loups
x Satin Sheiks) finally repaid trainer Rob Baily’s faith
in her by out staying this field in dour fashion to finally
break her maiden tag after several years on the track. Makhai
cut out the running in the early stages but Sheriek was soon
brought to the head of affairs under a confident Martin Smith,
she led the field at a decent pace and battled on really well
in the closing stages as stablemate Skromnani and West country
raider Nadal challenged in the home straight; but Shereik was
not going to be denied and drew clear inside the final furlong
to hold Nadal at bay. Nadal (Ventican x Bint Nariadnaia) ran
a career best race in second, racing prominently throughout
and challenging in determined style in home turn for owner/trainer
Jackie Hutchings. Whilst Skromnani (Tidjani x Skromnitsa) put
up another decent performance and is improving with every run
this season and should be winning soon.
The
Penn Challenge Final Handicap Stakes for Anglo & PBAs
(Final) over 1 Mile:
Curupanna (Opera Ghost x Easter Panic) confirmed herself the
leading Anglo with yet another fantastic victory against her
peers making short work of the opposition under a fine ride from
Sam Holdsworth, she made virtually all and drew clear after the
final bend to quicken clear easily to beat former champion Anglo
L’Escalou three lengths for trainer Paul Greenwood. L’Escalou
(Big John x L’Escale) is now eleven years old but still
a force to be reckoned with and was conceding 2 lbs to the winner,
he also seems more effective over sprint trips these days and
lost nothing in defeat here. La Perruche (L’Estragon x
Iron Bird) returned to form with a good performance for owner/trainer/Philip
Rondel and looks to be coming to hand.
The Deira Handicap Stakes 0-100 over 1 Mile:
Kateland cut out the running for the first half mile until the
awesome powerhouse that is Angel Picamer (Amer x Picea HT)
swept effortlessly into the lead leaving the field trailing
in her slip stream as she wound up the pace from the home turn
showing her blinding turn of foot under an in form Sam Holdsworth
to kick clear from last weeks winner Noble Athlete (Dorwan
Du Cayrou x Noble Dame) for a comfortable three length victory
for owner/breeder Zelda Angel and trainer Bill Smith. Noble
Athlete ran another game race in defeat chasing the winner
all the way to the line but never looked like passing her.
Whilst Petraunille (Al Sakbe x My Princess) was far from disgraced
back half a length in third, she challenged for second in the
closing stages but lost out in the last few strides; she in
turn was clear of Aberfeldy in fourth.
The Burj Nahar Handicap Stakes 0-85 over 6f:
An upset here as the Bill Smith trained and HH Sheikh Ahmed owned
Khadeer (Vadeer x Kenithra) got the better of a momentous battle
with odds on favourite Shuhood to get home under a superb power
packed ride from Simon Walker. Musaayer cut out the running until
Shuhood made smooth progress to lead from the two furlong marker,
but Khadeer asserted her authority inside the final furlong and
the two were all out in the shadow of the post with Khadeer just
getting home by a head. Shuhood (Bengali D’Albret x Shunah)
is improving with every run this season and continues to impress
for owner/trainer Beverley Paterson and was arguably unlucky
not to claim victory. The Iraqi bred and owned Al Harith (Asad
Saif x Wadha Al-Thania) trained by Sam Davison did well to finish
so close having missed the break, he made a lot of ground up
and was finishing well in the closing stages but was never nearer
than third.
The Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap Stakes 0-75 over 1 Mile 1
Furlong:
A competitive handicap won in fine style by the rapidly improving
Billoube (Bengali D’Albret x Billou Al Maury) who was placed
in all three maidens and is clearly a horse of note winning on
his handicap debut under a well timed ride from Mark Wall for
new owner/trainer Helen Bona who is having a great season. Fedor
Du Bournais cut out the early running but was soon playing second
fiddle to Balladore who briefly looked like she was going to
get home, but Billoube was cantering in behind under a confident
Wall who pressed the button inside the final furlong and powered
home in fine style. Nenette challenged strongly inside the final
two furlongs and after getting past Balladore looked set for
second until HH Sheikh Mohammed’s smart looking filly Few
And Far (The Wiking x Elina Des Fabries) burst into contention
inside the final furlong and took second in the final half furlong.
Nenette (Makzan x Nelenghara) ran another game race and was in
turn two lengths clear of an improving Balladore (Dormane x Ballade
Folle).
The Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap 0-65 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
Nearly a year after his first victory at this track Blu By You
(Khairouan x Billou Al Maury) returned and showed some admirable
battling qualities to land his second career victory for owner/trainer/jockey
Mark Wall (scoring a double), getting home by just under a
length from the tough and consistent Notid. Operatic the grand
old servant led the field throughout until Notid came to the
front from the two furlong marker with Pavot Al Kyle and Blu
By You in hot pursuit. As they entered the final furlong Wall
pushed on with Blu By You who ran on in determined fashion
to deny Notid at the line. Notid (Tidjani x Sherrie Noreen)
ran his usual consistent race and was a little unlucky on the
day, and Pavot Al Kyle (Pavot Al Maury x Ellaria) who won here
earlier in the season stayed on ahead of Operatic for third.
The Palm Islands Handicap Stakes 0-55 over 6 Furlongs:
A well deserved win for the incredibly consistent Benny The Dip
(Bengali D’Albret x Duiker) was has finished in the frame
in every one of his starts this term and got home here by a
rapidly diminishing half length for the Morris family. Recent
Huntingdon scorer Trip To Khairo made the running setting off
like a shot and leading the field into the home straight but
Benny The Dip and stablemate El Hamsa were travelling well
in behind, as they hit the final furlong Benny The Dip drew
clear and just held on from El Hamsa (Nasem x Myska) at the
line for victory. El Hamsa is impressing this season with every
run and would have snatched victory in a few more strides.
Trip To Khairo (Khairouan x Tikis Trip) looks a smart prospect
and ran another excellent race here and was just out pointed
in the final furlong, but was well clear of Egypt.