Arab Racing 2002


The Arab Horse Society

AHS RACE REPORT 2002



ROB WOOLLARD RIDING DORIKET
Photo Patrick McCann

STRATFORD 17TH AUGUST 2002

By Claire Taylor

DOUBLE FOR JOCKEY ROB WOOLLARD AT STRATFORD

As an added attraction, long-term supporters of AHS Racing, Stuart Shefras and Eric Phillpott organised a display of classic cars in front of the stands at Stratford hosted by the Facel Vega Car Club, who kindly sponsored the sixth race.


ROB WOOLLARD RIDING ISLAND STAR
Photo Patrick McCann

Rob Woollard enjoyed a double on the two horses he rides out at home. The Freda Phillpott ‘Happy Birthday’ Stakes was a very competitive handicap with several previous winners in the race including Egypt, Gaynif, Just Taurean and Pha Khamoun who had all won last time out. Island Star was always travelling well over the mile and a quarter, usually a hard puller Rob had her settled nicely in mid field and moved up on the final bend to pass the early leaders Charan El Nefous and Habibi Bey, Star then quickened away from the rest of the field and won with her ears pricked. The lightly weighted Borago ran on for second with Habibi Bey third. In the June and Derek Anniversary Stakes, coincidentally supported by Rob’s Mum and Dad, Doriket got quickly into his stride and was never headed by the other runners. Now thirteen years old Doriket has won four races for Rob who explained that ‘Dori always tries his best whatever distance he runs over, although six furlongs is a bit short for him so it was important we got a quick start.’

ROB WOOLLARD, DORIKET AND CONNECTIONS IN THE WINNERS ENCLOSURE
Photo Patrick McCann

Two well-bred 4-year-olds took first and second place in the nine-runner Welcombe Hills Riding for the Disabled Open Maiden Stakes. Jockey John Crofts held up his mount, Benha, until making his move about three furlongs out, increasing the pace to win by a comfortable five lengths from Patrick Murphy on Kateland. Owner/trainer of Benha, Lyn Brooker also bred this handsome colt who is by Bengali D’Albret, he had run well at Warwick the previous week only beaten a short head by the impressive looking Horizon.

Stuart Shefras’ magnificent Sanji dominated the Penn Wood Challenge Sprint to take his 15th career win; jockey Phil Collington set off to make the running and kicked clear in the straight when Patrick Murphy came to challenge him on Fayre Abi, Cathy Thomas was third on her Pavot Al Kyle thereby repeating the result of the Open Sprint at Huntingdon.

There was plenty of action, and maybe some hard luck stories, in the two Anglo/Part Bred races. In the Loddon Ltd Stakes Artic Lord seemed to be handed the race when Spring Psalm wandered in the final furlong causing Mark Doyle to stop riding on Spring Harmony, which allowed Chiloe to come through and take third place from him. John Moseley, rider of Spring Psalm, later reported that his saddle had slipped causing him to lose his balance. In The Penn Wood Challenge AA/PB Pride Of James got a flying start after his tardiness last week at Warwick, meanwhile it was the turn of Tamagotchi to miss the break and start several lengths behind the field, although he ran on really well to finish in second only half a length behind the winner. The Penn Wood Challenge, kindly sponsored by Stuart Shefras of Penn Wood Stud and Racing Stables, is a series of three Open Handicap races over varied distances as a test of the versatility of the Arabian Racehorse. Going into the Stratford races Pride of James and Fayre Abi were tied at the top with 13 points each, while Sugar Dandy and Pavot Al Kyle had 10 points each. Winning the Anglo/Part Bred race secured the £ 500 bonus for Pride Of James.

The Facel Vega Car Club Handicap over two miles attracted several long distance specialists as Majestic Omar bid for his third win of the season taking on Riverdance, Dhorgaam and Komandor. Also in the line up was the 18-year-old veteran, and eleven-time winner Aflame, making his first appearance on a racecourse in five years. Keen to get on with it, Aflame soon pulled his way to the front over the early leader, Komandor and jockey Brian Boulton, and continued to set a good pace, before tiring on the second circuit. At this point Sally McIlwaine, who’d always kept Majestic Omar in a good position, took the opportunity to take up the running and kick for home. Sam Morris produced Riverdance in the home straight to challenge Majestic Omar, but Sally had already gone for the winning post and finished an impressive 4 lengths ahead of Riverdance with Dhorgaam a further 12 lengths behind in third.


ROB WOOLLARD & ISLAND STAR ENTERING WINNERS ENCLOSURE
Photo Patrick McCann




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