ARABIAN RACING 2004
BY PAUL SIMMONS

Exeter Sunday May 16th:
Track: Good to Firm.

The Clarendon Stud Maiden Stakes 6 Furlongs:
1. Muthaaber Mr P Collington
2. Al Jameh Mr A S T Holdsworth
3. Muqdam Mr P Deymonaz

Distances: 2, 4 Time: 01:30:10
Winner owned by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin R Al Maktoum. Trained by Mrs G Duffield. Bred by Shadwell Estate Co. Ltd.

Muthaaber (Bengali D’Albret X Volna (Anchar)) ran his rivals ragged over the six furlongs trip of the first maiden of the season. Fifteen runners went to post and this handsome son of former European Triple Crown Winner Bengali D’Albret was handy throughout and brought with a superbly timed ride from Phil Collington to get up fairly comfortably in the final furlong. The manner of this win was impressive and there looks more to come from this young colt, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him reappear in the Derby Trial. The second home was the Godolphin bred colt Al Jameh (Sample Copy X CR Quiet Storm (Wiking)), 6th on his only start last year he looked much more the finished article here and raced prominently throughout before taking up the lead within the final furlong. He was no match for the winner but should open his account soon. Muqdam (NF Bolt X WF Wiktoria (Wiking) was having his racecourse debut and made an eye catching start to his career

The Ajay Construction Ltd Handicap Stakes (0-60) 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
1. Mellway Gold Charm Mr S Harrison
2. Cal Koihue Miss K E Smith
3. Eternal Light Mrs A Colledge

Distances: 2 ½, 8 Time: 03:11:10
Winner owned, trained and bred by Mrs J Hutchings.

Mellway Gold Charm (Naresh X Alcina (Lotny)) was lightly weighted off 9st 13lb and absolutely hacked up, she was always helping to force the pace with long time leader Ygnasio, and then with four furlongs to run she merely toyed with top weight Cal Koihue (ZT Shahkar X Harsanmum (Mumtaaz)) before sauntering clear in the final furlong winning as she liked by two and a half lengths and barely extended. Cal Koihue struggled under top weight and couldn’t land a blow, he looks a little highly rated at the moment. Eternal Light (Ernal X Magic Fairylight (Magic Argosy)) was eight lengths back in third and given a good ride by Angela Colledge, he lost lengths at the start but was soon in contention, with three furlongs to go he was under pressure and struggling but plugged on for third.

The CM Cole Handicap Stakes (0-75) 6 Furlongs:
1. Izaak Mr M Sheridan
2. Cal Mora Pretender Mr A S T Holdsworth
3. Pavot Al Kyle Mr S A Walker

Distances: short head, 1 Time: 01:28:50
Winner owned and bred by Mrs M Calvert. Trained by Mrs G Moore.

In the final furlong Cal Mora Pretender took up the running with Pavot Al Kyle nipping at her heels, Izaak given a superbly timed ride by Michael Sheridan flew in the final half furlong to collar Cal Mora Pretender in a photo finish. Izaak (Izentespeshal X Milicent (Sha’baan)) has always looked a useful sort and the way he ran on at the end suggests he will stay a mile like his dam. Cal Mora Pretender (Bakara X Mora Pretenciosa (Fugitivo)) ran a blinding race in second and showed her usual blistering speed, she looked out of sorts last season but this effort suggests she is back to her best. Pavot Al Kyle (Pavot Al Maury X Ellaria (Alegro)) looked in need of the race at in the parade ring, he has clearly lost none of his ability or useful turn of foot and looks potentially well handicapped.

The Jebel Ali Racing Club (Series Qualifier) Handicap Stakes (0-50) 1 Mile:
1. Mehshalla Mr A Newey
2. Lile D’Amour Mr D Birch
3. Chelmer Riasha Miss D Crothers

Distances: 8, ¾ Time: 02:03:90
Winner owned and trained by Miss S L Davison. Bred by Mrs L Sharpe.

Mehshalla (Pogojii X Mehsha (Shahpoor)) won in a confident and authoritative manner which suggests she is still improving. Always prominent this handsome daughter of former Russian Classic winner and Kempton Park record holder Pogojii could be named the winner three furlongs from home, she was cantering all over her rivals and merely quickened clear in the final furlong to score as she liked by eight lengths. Lile D’Amour (Merlin Al Maury X Daad (Dynamite III)) was outpaced in second and was no match for the winner whilst Chelmer Riasha (Halim Pasha X Ria Bint Procyon (Procyon)) was an encouraging third, suggesting she has found her level.

The PMR Electrical & Topstitch Classified Stakes (0-90) 1 Mile:
1. Kolver Mr S A Walker
2. Deolali Mr P Deymonaz
3. Operatic Mr M Allen

Distances: 4, 12 Time: 01:57:10
Winner owned and bred by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Trained by Mr W M Smith.

Kolver (Vert Olive X Kenithra (Djouras Tu)) hacked up against some potentially useful rivals. Always handy she was brought with a run from the two furlong marker and passed Deolali with a useful turn of foot in the final furlong to win going away by four lengths. Deolali (Khairouan X Operetta (Silver Scenario)) ran a decent race in second, always up with the pace, he came with a run two furlongs out before being collared by the winner in the final furlong. His half brother Operatic (Vert Olive X Operetta) stayed on at the same pace for third.

The Otter Plant Sales Stakes (Conditions) 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
1. CS Al Wahed Mr P Deymonaz
2. Kalif D’Or Mr P Collington
3. Fedor Du Bournais Mr S Harrison

Distances: 15, 5 Time: 02:57:20
Winner owned and bred by Mr M D Brunton. Trained by Mr A J Brunton.

CS Al Wahed (Bengali D’Albret X Cikada (Klarnet)) lead his rivals a merry dance under the stylish Pierre Deymonaz. This dour stayer was always up with the leaders forcing the pace and gradually wound up the speed in the final three furlongs going two lengths clear and never being caught. The favourite Kalif D’Or (Dormane X Malika Fontenay (Medicq Allah)) has never looked the most reliable performer, and although travelling well could never land a blow with the winner who pulled away from him in the straight. Fedor Du Bournais (Djouras Tu X Cosete Du Bournais (Fawzan)) ran well for his new connections travelling well and having every chance but fading tamely in the straight, he looks to be more effective over a mile.

The Watermans and Redmills Handicap Stakes (Anglo & Part Bred) 1 Mile:
1. Faer Saor Mr S A Walker
2. Fools Magic Miss E M George
3. Hardtoback Mr P Deymonaz

Distances: 5,1 Time: 01:52:10
Winner owned and trained by Mrs A Batchelor. Bred by Mr J C A Batchelor.

Faer Soar (Out of Hand X Easter Panic (Panco)) came home strongly from the useful Fools Magic. Always travelling well, he stalked Fools Magic as they came into the straight and then came along side and passed him comfortably in the final furlong and won with a bit in hand. Fools Magic (Al Mansour X Lacey (Monsanto)) ran a decent race in second but isn’t quite the force of old, he also looks more effective over shorter trips. Hardtoback (Norton Challenger X Harem (Harkem)) showed up well early before struggling to match the pace of the first two in the final furlong, he looks potentially well treated off a mark of 92.