Arabian
Racing Review
Wolverhampton 7th June
by Paul Simmons
Maiden
over 6 Furlongs:
A bit of a non event with half the field not jumping
off on terms and the other half catching a flyer, in the end Miswadah
led the field at a decent gallop with Riko, Ambrose and Andaleeb
all travelling well in behind, as they approached the final furlong
it was the impeccably bred Kaolino full brother Riko (Dormane
x Cary De Carerre) who seized the initiative under an in form
Martin Smith to storm home a length and a half clear for champion
trainer Gill Duffield and owner HH Sheikh Hamdan. He had to pull
out all the stops to out sprint the Jane Haddock owned and trained
Ambrose (Amer x KTP Mystic Flight) who was finishing like a train
and in turn was two lengths clear of the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s
Andaleeb (Newday x Gagarka).
Conditions
race over 1 Mile:
The incredibly impressive Shibl (Al Sakbe x Bisbille)
made it two from two for the season under a superb ride from Phil
Collington under top weight, the 5/4 odds on favourite went clear
in the final furlong to get home by an easy four lengths from
stable mate and last years Breeders Cup heroine Inshaad (Al Sakbe
x Aksarka), both owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan and trained by Gill
Duffield. Inshaad lost nothing in defeat and was well clear of
a staying on Angel Picamer (Amer x Picea HT), getting home four
lengths up on the line.
Jebel Ali Racing Stakes 0-60 over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs:
A true staying handicap won in fine style by the ever
consistent Floren (Bengali D’Albret x Florys De Nautiac)
who was expertly piloted by his owner/trainer/jockey Theresa Smith,
he was always travelling well but had to dig deep in the final
furlong to hold off the sustained challenge of the Iraqi bred
colt Affar (Asad Saif x Al Qaida Al Thania). The latter ran his
best race to date and showed good battling qualities to hold onto
second by a neck from a fast finishing Tik Tik (The Wiking x Tamina)
and Whisper (The Wiking x Sucha), both ran sound races are ones
to note for next time.
Maiden
over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
A thrilling finish to a competitive maiden with Martin
Smith once again coming home in front this time on HH Sheikh Hamdan’s
true blue blooded colt Al Janoob (Magic De Piboul x Ester Du Paon),
a half brother to Group 1 Dubai Stakes winner Jiyush. As they
entered the final furlong there were several in with a chance
but in the end an inspired ride from Martin Smith saw him get
home on Al Janoob by one and a half lengths from 6/4 favourite
Qareim De Faust (Dormane x Harein De Faust). The latter ran a
superb race and looks more than capable of taking a maiden, he
ran on well in the closing stages to hold on by a short head from
a fast finishing Tidarbret (Bengali D’Albret x Iktidar),
who ran another notable race and was a length clear of the juvenile
runner Djarni D’Or.
Handicap
0-85 over 6 Furlongs:
A select but quality field went to post with the eventual
victor being the impressive Royal Cavalry of Oman owned and bred
Al Rasheeq (Djendel x Salam) who showed a useful turn of foot
under a well judged ride from Mr Balushi to pull clear of Pinkie
Tuscadero (Izentespeshal x Altyv) at the line by two lengths for
the in form Julian Smart stable. Pinkie ran a storming race in
second and chased the winner all the way to the line, and was
well clear of Roches Du Cayrou (Newday x Kahinaoura) another two
lengths back in third.
Handicap
0-55 over 7 Furlongs:
They went a fair pace in this competitive handicap with
Benny The Dip, Egypt and Lady Marisha all in with a chance inside
the final furlong, but as they got inside the final half furlong
it was Benny The Dip (Bengali D’Albret x Duiker) who asserted
his authority under a power packed ride from Kevin Locking to
win by three quarters of a length for the Morris family. Egypt
(Marawan x Sareefa) ran another brilliant race under owner/trainer/jockey
Caroline de Wilde, she ran on strongly in the final furlong and
just failed, whilst Lady Marisha (Nevesti x Shimmering Spektra)
battled hard in the home straight and was a neck back in third
and should be winning soon.