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
