Newbury 14th August 2005 - Dubai Day
By Paul Simmons


Photo: Paul Simmons

Track: Good

The Dubai Immigration Premier Handicap Stakes (0-75) Over 7 Furlongs:
1. Rasid Mr. S Walker
2. WFA Leopard J Panas
3. CS Wraith Mr. P Deymonaz
4. Olivphaya Mr. P J Murphy

Distances: short head, 4, short head 20 ran Time: 01:40:43
1st £4,500 2nd £2,250 3rd £1,250 4th £500
Winner owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Trained by Mr. W Smith. Bred by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd.

As usual this race was run at blistering pace from the start with the heavily gambled upon Olivphaya scorching home on the stands side, she led the field in till the 3 furlong marker where she was swamped by WFA Leopard who was travelling ominously well in behind, he kicked clear in the final furlong but was being matched stride for stride by Rasid (Chndaka x Kahina El Kihm) who just got up in the shadow of the post to score by a short head. WFA Leopard (Bengali D’Albret x Lapsana) ran his best race of the season in second and looks to be returning to form, whilst CS Wraith (Djebbel x Waywood Ghost (Nazim)) who was always handy stayed on for third for a career best and she seemed to relish this step down in trip. Gutsy Olivphaya (Vert Olive x Phaya) kept on for fourth.

The Emaar International Stakes (Formerly the Jumeriah Stakes) Group 2 (3 yrs only) Over 7 Furlongs:
1. Speed Tornade W Supple
2. Kenzo Du Loup C Nora
3. CS Malik R Thomas
4. Schiva DA A Daly

Distances: 1 ¼, ¾, 8 7 ran Time: 01:38:73
1st £5,500 2nd £2,750 3rd £1,650 4th £550
Winner owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Trained by M. D De Watrigant (FR). Bred by M.J. Birabem.

The juveniles were quickly away in this strong renewal, Speed Tornade and CS Malik were prominent throughout but it was the filly Speed Tornade (Tornado De Syrah x Essaada) who had the smarter turn of foot and she looked quite impressive in scooting home a length and a quarter ahead of the favourite Kenzo Du Loup (Tidjani x Kenza Lotoise) who came with a wet sail in the final furlong. CS Malik (Makzan x Ciarosa) showed good early speed and stayed on for a creditable third, all three look to have big futures. Schiva DA (Amer x Kings Court Souad) dumped her rider at the start and did well to finish fourth.

The National Bank of Dubai Hatta International Stakes – Group 1 – (Mares only) Over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
1. Udjidor De Bozouls C Nora
2. Al Zahrah T Fourcy
3. Lamasat W Supple
4. Sadjella D Klomp

Distances: 1 ¾, ½, 2 11 ran Time: 02:19:77
1st £7,500 2nd £3,500 3rd £2,400 4th £800
Winner owned by M.M Mezy (FR). Trained by M. J-P Totain (FR). Bred by E.A.R.L. Mezagri (FR).

Udjidor De Bozouls (Dormane x Udjella) ran an impressive race on her UK debut, she was always handily placed throughout and ridden to lead in the final 3 furlongs, she quickened clear in the final furlong with Al Zahrah, Lamasat and Sadjella all lining up to challenge but had too much pace for them and scored by a length and three quarters. Al Zahrah (Kesberoy x Al Hidaya) hails from a classy family of Group 1 winners and ran strong race in second, held up for a run she came with every chance in the final furlong but couldn’t get past the winner. Lamasat (Bengali D’Albret x Komet) was prominent throughout and was staying on in the final furlong and was far from disgraced in finishing another half a length back in third and remains a classy mare. Sadjella (Djebbel x Saffiah) put up a brave effort to land fourth.

The Shadwell Dubai International Stakes – Group 1 – (Colts / Mares) Over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
1. Aikido Vege F-X Bertras
2. Djezika C Nora
3. Nizam D Bouland
4. Arsene Rupin A Munro

Distances: ½, short head, 3 ½ 16 ran Time: 02:17:75
1st £13,000 2nd £6,500 3rd £3,900 4th £1,300
Winner owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Trained by Miss K Van Den Bos (NL). Bred by M.G Vilpreux (FR).

Aikido Vege (Elios De Carrere x Agak Vege) deserved compensation after finishing second to Arsene Rupin in the UK Derby and then also in a Group 1 at Chantilly, he duly gained it here in one of the most valuable Arabian races in Europe outstaying his rivals in emphatic fashion showing the field a smart turn in the final furlong to get home by a half a length for owner HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum who has won this race every year since 2000. It was a first Dubai Stakes win for trainer Karen Van Den Boss who is gaining quite a reputation in the UK after landing last years Derby. Market leader and UK Derby winner Arsene Rupin was quickly out of the stalls and led the field at a smart gallop but was being dangerously stalked every step of the way by Djezika, Aikido Vege and Nizam. As they passed the 1 furlong marker it was between these three as Arsene Rupin’s effort began to fade, Aikido Vege powered past the post but was all out to hold off the sustained challenge of Djezika (Dormane x Cherifa). The latter was France’s Champion juvenile and was a disappointing 10th in the French Derby recently, a classy filly who has clearly trained on she was a shade unlucky not to get home and remains a serious Group 1 racehorse. Nizam (Amer x Nerva Du Cassou) won the Zabeel Stakes at this meeting last season and it is a true testament to his supreme will to win that he finished only a short head back in third as he seemed to struggle over this extended trip. Arsene Rupin (Dormane x Djelsomina) was far from disgraced in staying for fourth.

Dahess
Photo: Paul Simmons

The Dubai Properties Zabeel International Stakes – Group 1 – Over 6 Furlongs:
1. Dahess D Bouland
2. Mahabb F-X Bertras
3. Onado A Daly
4. Djeldor De Bozouls W Supple

Distances: 3 ½, 7, short head 13 ran Time: 01:19:95
1st £7,500 2nd £3,500 3rd £2,400 4th £800
Winner owned and bred by HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani. Trained by M. A De Mieulle (FR).

The field spring from the stall like bullets from a gun and forged their way up the track in a bunched group. Shahngali, The Vertuous Crusader, Pigaro and Dahess all showed early speed and helped to force the pace. Mahabb was closely in behind and made his move at the two furlong pole quickening with ease clear from the field but being stalked all the way by Dahess who burst into the lead inside the final furlong unleashing a devastating turn of foot to get home an incredibly impressive 3 ½ lengths clear at the line. Dahess (Amer x Danie Du Cassou) has some smart form at Group level in Qatar but this was his first UK race and he could scarcely have been more impressive making classy field of sprinters look almost ordinary. Mahabb (Tahar De Candelon x Joyzell) made a brave bid for victory in the closing stages but was no match for the winner but was a decent second in a highly competitive Group sprint, although he has now lost his unbeaten record he remains a smart sprinter for the future. Onado (Ass Kendall x Alissah) seemed tapped for toe in the final furlong but still kept on for third – although he was 7 lengths adrift of the second - ahead of the rest of the field and clearly retains his ability. Djeldor De Bozouls (Dormane x Udjella) wasn’t far away in fourth.

Danjani
Photo: Paul Simmons

The Jebel Ali Racecourse Handicap Stakes 0-90 (Formerly Deira Stakes) Over 1 Mile 5 Furlongs:
1. Danjani Mr. P Deymonaz
2. Ashhab Mr. P Collington
3. Udjedai Des Agatchols Mr. P J Murphy
4. CS Khan Mr. D Turner

Distances: 3 ½, 7, 3 ½ 17 ran Time: 03:10:99
1st £5,000 2nd £2,500 3rd £1,300 4th £700
Winner owned and bred by Mr. J Kippen. Trained by Mr. A J Brunton.

CS Khan set off like a scolded cat from the start and made sure the race was a true test of stamina, from 6 furlongs out he was eight lengths clear but the field was starting to catch up and by the 4 furlong marker he was only 2 lengths clear with Ashhab snapping at his heels closely followed by Danjani travelling smoothly on the bridle. Danjani took up the initiative from the 2 furlong marker and wound up the pace soon leaving CS Khan toiling in his wake but with Ashhab chasing gamely in behind. Danjani (Tidjani x Russian Dancer (Dantist)) kicked clear in the final furlong under a supremely confident ride from Pierre Deymonaz to get home by a comfortable three and a half lengths for owner / breeder James Kippen. Ashhab (Way To Go x Mangana) had every chance but couldn’t match the winner in the final furlong but still stayed on resolutely for second, with stable mate Udjedai Des Agatchols (Dormane x Udjella) another 7 lengths back in third. CS Khan (Khairouan x Cikada (Klarnet)) finished fourth after doing all the hard work.

L’Escalou
Photo; Paul Simmons

The Emirates Airlines, UAE Breeders Society International Stakes (Formerly The Easter Panic Stakes) (Anglo & PBA) Over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
1. L’Escalou Mr. S Walker
2. Madrison Mr. M Smith
3.Ardente Sauvage Mr. S Harrison
4. Call Me Risky Miss G M Kelleway

Distances: 4, 8, 2 ½, 6 ran Time: 02:14:92
1st £2,800 2nd £1,600 3rd £1,100 4th £500
Winner owned and trained by Mr. W Smith. Bred by Mme M Gaillard.

L’Escalou is simply in a league of his own, the only horse racing in the UK who is a racing certainty every time out; nothing racing can even match his stride and he duly won his fourth Anglo Championship for owner / trainer Bill Smith. Ardente Sauvage leapt out of the stalls like a horse on a mission and was easily 7 lengths clear of the field at half way, after turning into the straight with 4 furlongs left to run she was still comfortably clear but Martin Smith was stoking up a big run from Madrison and they were gaining ground at the 2 furlong marker with L’Escalou coasting in behind. L’Escalou (Big John x L’Escale) raised his game another notch in the final furlong and powered clear easily to get home by an easy 4 lengths. Madrison (L’Estragon x Madrisa) was having only his second UK run and lost nothing in defeat, he made a gallant effort to reel the winner in and is definitely on the upgrade and could well steal L’Escalou’s crown next season. Ardente Sauvage (Feu Ardent x L’Eau Sauvage) made all the running and stayed on in determined fashion for a worthy third. Call Me Risky (Risk Me x Call My Name) kept on for fourth.

The Final Furlong
The Dubai Immigration Premier Handicap Stakes (0-75) Over 7 Furlongs:
Photo; Paul Simmons