ARABIAN RACING 2004
BY PAUL SIMMONS

Photo Jim & Chris Bielby Racing Advertiser Ltd

PRIDE OF JAMES
Owner: Mr S M Shefras, Trainer: Mr Stuart Shefras, Jockey: Mr S A Walker.
Uttoxeter July 24th

Track: Firm

The Champagne Maiden Stakes - One Mile Two Furlongs:
1. Kammaryah Mr M Smith
2. Lamasat Mr P Collington
3. Sodidi Mr S A Walker

Distances: 3 ½ , 10 14 ran Time: 02:32:18

Winner owned by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin R Al Maktoum. Trained by Mrs. G Duffield. Bred by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd.

The opening maiden started off dramatically as Benny The Dip blotted his copy book in spectacular fashion dumping his jockey in the parade ring and then again at start, he then wreaked havoc amongst the starters to such an extent that CS Volante was eventually withdrawn after being upset by the commotion and then also ditched her jockey. Suffice to say the race went off late and many were a little off kilter due to the commotion that the unruly Benny The Dip caused, he was also withdrawn. Gill Duffield’s Lamasat was sent off favourite and was the choice of stable jockey Phil Collington but it was stablemate Kammaryah (a decent second at Exeter behind the potentially smart Jelvita who was subsequently not disgraced in the Group 1 Hatta Stakes behind CS Camellia). Kammaryah (Bengali D’Albret X Aicha Tourettes (Dormane)) traveled well and picked up nicely in the closing stages to score readily by a comfortable three and a half lengths from the favourite Lamasat (Bengali D’Albret X Komet (Kesberoy)), the latter was making its race course debut and raced prominently throughout before being a little tapped for toe in the final furlong and will undoubtedly come on for the run. Sodidi (Tidjani X Soumeira (Faris)) was well beaten a further ten lengths back in third and couldn’t quicken with the front two in the final two furlongs, he was however clear of the rest and is going the right way. The well bred CS Wraith (Djebbel X Waywood Ghost (Nazim)) made an eye catching debut in the fourth and will be sharper next time.

The Penn Wood Challenge (Series Qualifier) Handicap Stakes - Five Furlongs (Anglo & PBA):
1. Pride Of James Mr S A Walker
2. Hardtoback Mr R G Woollard
3. Kelway Crimson Sky Mr S Harrison

Distances: 3, head 6 ran Time: 01:07:95

Winner owned and trained by Mr. S Shefras. Bred by Ms. C Muldoon.

The Anglo sprint handicap went to the in form Stuart Shefras and Pride of James (Linwood Sweet Excalibur X Harvest Dome), he set the pace and quickened nicely in the final furlong to hold at bay by an easy three lengths the running on Hardtoback (Norton Challenger X Harem (Haroun)). The latter was second again and is impressing with his consistency and versitality this season and deserves to score soon. Kelway Crimson Light (Imperial Majesty X Royal Regalia) was making her belated seasonal debut and seemed a little tapped for toe and was finished strongest of all in the dieing strides and was only beaten a head into third.

The Clarendon Stud Classified Stakes - One Mile (0-90):
1. CS Patriarch Mr. D Turner
2. CS Shamal Mr. P Deymonaz
3. Fayre Abi Mr. P J Murphy

Distances: short head, 8 8 ran Time: 01:38:47

Winner owned and bred by Mr. M Brunton. Trained by Mr. A J Brunton.

The 0-90 Classified Stakes provided one of the best finishes of the day when stablemates CS Patriarch and CS Shamal fought out a battle royal in the final furlong and pulled right away from the field. CS Shamal was making her belated seasonal debut and raced prominently throughout before taking up the running in the final two furlongs, CS Patriarch ranged upsides and the lead changed several times in the final furlong as they fought out the finish and CS Patriarch (Makzan X Pokrovka (Desant)) showed real guts and determination to just get up inside the shadow of the post to score by the shortest of heads from the game CS Shamal (Bengali D’Albret X Samara Bint Samurai (Golden Samurai)) who lost nothing in defeat. Fayre Abi (Abitibi X Fayrelands Gold (Farif)) was prominent throughout but seemed tapped for toe in the final two furlongs but stayed on for third, whilst Shafaq was a shade disappointing in fourth.

The Town & Country Novice Riders Classified Stakes – Five Furlongs (0-50):
1. Makhai Miss A Hockley
2. Maghriba Miss K Turbutt
3. Aramits Mr G Kimberley

Distances: ½, 1 ½ 15 ran Time: 01:15:59

Winner owned and trained by Mr. P D Rondel. Bred by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin R Al Maktoum.

The Novice Riders Stakes over five furlongs gave talented jockey Amie Hockley her first winner under rules as she gave Makhai (Khairouan X Mais (Mamluk)) a decent ride to get him up to win over five furlongs (in doing so Makhai became Khairouan’s first UK winner racing), she was hard at work throughout and practically carried him over the line with her driving, he looks to be improving and ideally wants further than this but showed a likeable attitude in holding of the sustained challenge of Maghriba (Pavot Al Maury X Sky Magic (Sky Crusader)). The latter has been slowly coming to hand all season and delighted owner Jackie Hutching, who will be hoping to extract a win before the mare retires to stud, she has always looked a speedy mare and quickened up nicely but couldn’t get past the winner and went down fighting by a length. The third Aramits (Tornado De Syrah X Serena MSC) was heavily backed from 6/1 down to 5/2 favourite, he was making his first start for his owner/ trainer / jockey Mr. G Kimberley and ran well on his seasonal debut and was finishing strongly in the final furlong.

The Jebel Ali Racing Club (Series Qualifier) Handicap Stakes – One Mile Two Furlongs (0-65):
1. Sarrafina Mr. P J Murphy]
2. Mellway Gold Charm Mr. S Harrison
3. Jana Mr. S Holdsworth

Distances: head, 2 16 ran Time: 02:35:16

Winner owned and bred by Mrs. C Cone. Trained by Mr. P J Murphy

The Jebel Ali Racing Club series qualifier was won in game style by the steadily improving 14/1 shot Sarrafina (Khairouan X Fayrelands Gold (Farif)) - tipped in this column - who relished this step up in trip to one mile two furlongs. She was always prominent and under a fine ride from trainer Pat Murphy she upped the pace two furlongs out and was all out in the final furlong to hold off the final thrust of Mellway Gold Charm (Naresh X Alcina (Lotny)). Jackie Hutchings mare ran well in second and showed a return to form after disappointing at Exeter last time, she was running on strongly at the end and ideally wants further but this was another solid performance. Jana (Normativ X Joli (Mudir)) wasn’t discredited in third and helped to force the pace before going to the front two furlongs out, she stayed on for third but seemed to find this trip stretching her stamina somewhat.

The Gerard Larrieu Handicap Stakes – One Mile Two Furlongs (0-115):
1. Laskem Mr. P Collington
2. Kalif D’Or Mr. M Smith
3. Dahra Miss. A Hockley

Distances: 1 ¼, 12 3 ran Time: 02:33:01

Winner owned by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin R Al Maktoum. Trained by Mrs. G Duffield. Bred by Mme Laure Giethlan Caniergues M. Jacques Tournie.

Laskem (Dormane X Kemia (Shawani)) made it two from two when cantering away to win the conditions event over one mile two furlong, he stalked long time leader Kalif D’Or (Dormane X Malika Fontenay) throughout and was produced in the final furlong to win with a bit in hand. Kalif D’Or set a good pace but was tapped for toe when the winner made his move, whilst Dahra (Darike X Dia Al Sigour) was outpaced in third but will be sharper next time out.

The CM Cole Handicap Stakes – Two Miles (0-85):
1. Hayleys Comet Mr. S Harrison
2. CS Clarion Mr. P Collington
3. Djelai Miss J Buckley

Distances: short head, 6 6 ran Time: 03:54:53

Winner owned and trained by Mrs. H Bona. Bred by Mrs C E Cooper.

Deira Stakes winner CS Clarion tried to give his rivals nearly a stone in weight to win the two mile handicap and very nearly did just that, he set the pace and made sure it was a true test of stamina and was hard ridden in the final furlong to score when Hayleys Comet (Nevesti X Kapilia (Appollo Sky)) came with a late charge to just get up in the shadow of the post to score by a short head to give trainer Helen Bona her first winner under rules. The winner looks to be slowly improving and this stamina sapping trip played into his strengths and he is potentially well treated. CS Clarion (Chndaka X Cikada (Klarnet)) ran another blinder but the weight began to tell in the final furlong and when challenged he fought back but couldn’t give the weight to his improving rival. Djelai (Djel Bon X Danaide Al Maury (Baroud III)) ran another game race in third and looks to need a true test of stamina to be seen at his best, he is well weighted and looks capable of opening his account this term.