Arabian
Racing Review
Taunton Saturday 16th May
by Paul Simmons
The Arabian
Magazine and Zayin Arabian Stud Maiden Stakes over 7 Furlongs:
A real international race with the first three home all being
bred in different parts of the world, and thrilling finish to
this season opener with a head bobbing three way finish. Taer
Al Hurr was making his racecourse debut and made the running in
the early stages with the field bunched in behind with Ebraam,
Al Harith and Al Rasheeq all travelling well in behind. As they
entered the straight Iraqi bred Al Harith went for home with 6/4
favourite Ebraam breathing down his neck, and Oman bred Al Rasheeq
chasing in behind. As they entered the final furlong Ebraam took
the lead under a strong ride from Phil Collington, but David Turner
would not be denied on Al Harith (Asad Saif x Wadha Al-Thania)
and rode a powerful finish to drive the colt over line to win
by a short head to give first season trainer Adam Newey his first
winner with his first runner, and first UK win for Iraq based
owner Dr M Al Nujaifi. HH Sheikh Hamdan’s Ebraam (Al Sakbe
x Dorswayne Du Cayrou) lost nothing in defeat and showed admirable
battling qualities to reel head the winner inside the final furlong,
whilst the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Al Rasheeq (Djendel x
Salam) was finishing fast and furious down the inside rail and
was another short head back in third.
The Harwood
Arabian Stud Handicap Stakes 0-70 over 6 Furlongs:
The fantastically named Pinkie Tuscadero (Izentespeshal x Altyv)
ran some gutsy races in defeat last season and looked well in
the paddock before the race, and showed a tough and determined
attitude to get up on the line under another expertly well judged
ride from Phil Collington to score by half a length from the speedy
Edjalie, losing her maiden tag in some style and giving talented
rookie trainer Adam Newey his second winner from as many runners
for the Almost All Partnership, and a great start to his debut
season. Edjalie (Bengali D’Albret x Edjara Al Garamaze)
ran a superb race in second for first season trainer Nick Paterson,
she led inside the final two furlongs and was all out the winner
until Pinkie came with her run inside the final furlong to hold
onto victory. Pavot Al Kyle (Pavot Al Kyle x Ellaria) cut out
a decent pace in the early stages and stayed on well for third.
The Jebel
Ali Racing Club Handicap Stakes 0-55 over 1 Mile 5 Furlongs:
An incredible result here and full credit to owner and trainer
Jane Harris who’s entire Kayeed (Kheiralla x Joli) lost
his maiden tag in some style at the grand old age of seventeen.
Kayeed in his youth won and held the record for the stamina sapping
Arab Horse Society Marathon, he came to the racing scene late
but showed he was no back number when 2nd to Brigitta in the Jebel
Ali Bronze final at Warwick last season. Looking well in the parade
before hand this game stallion (bred by the late June Alexander)
was always travelling well in behind under a confident Rachel
Kneller, he was head to head with Floren inside the final furlong
and was superbly piloted by Kneller to get up on the line and
win by a neck. Floren (Bengali D’Albret x Florys de Nautiac)
ran an eye catching debut after a year off the track, he led into
the straight and was nip and tuck with the winner all the way
to the line and just failed; his turn looks near. Whilst Abra
(Dormane x Djoula) ran another game front running display and
was clear for the majority of the race just tiring in the straight,
but kept on in the closing stages to hold onto third.
The Royal
Cavalry of Oman Handicap Stakes 0-95 over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
Proof that stable jockeys don’t always know best, Phil Collington
had to watch in despair from the back of Marsak as stable second
string Shibl produced an awesome display to defeat a class field
on only his second start under a brave ride from Martin Smith.
Shibl (Al Sakbe x Bisbille) won his maiden at Nottingham last
season and wasn’t seen again, here he made all and in spite
of the beautifully bred Royal Cavalry of Oman runner Quorman Des
Vialettes stalking him throughout, Shibl had plenty of fuel left
inside the final furlong to hold on gamely to victory by a neck
for Champion trainer Gill Duffield and owner/breeder HH Sheikh
Hamdan. Quorman Des Viallettes (Dormane x Khandela Des Vialette)
lost nothing in defeat and looks to be still improving, he rallied
hard inside the final furlong but couldn’t get past the
winner. Marsak (Al Sakbe x Margau) was the form horse with solid
place efforts on Dubai Day and in Premier handicaps last season,
he looked to be travelling well into the straight but found surprisingly
little under pressure inside the final furlong.
The Friends
of Arab Racing Handicap Stakes 0-80 over 1 Mile:
A fantastic staying handicap with stablemates Debrett and Gazal
ensuring it was a true test of stamina, with the rest of the field
chasing in behind. As they entered the home straight the Julian
Smart trained and Royal Cavalry of Oman owned Mudalal (Darike
x Rawabi) cruised into the lead inside the final two furlongs
and was all out under Mr A S Al Siyabi for victory with the gallant
stayers Gazal and Debrett head to head in behind for the placings.
At the line Mudalal held on to victory by a length and a half
from a highly impressive Gazal (Sambist x Shout For Joy), who
in turn was a neck ahead of the ever game and consistent Debrett
(Bengali D’Albret x Djeba El Mels).