ARABIAN RACING 2004
BY PAUL SIMMONS

Wolverhampton Saturday May 22nd
Track: Dirt/ Standard

The Palm Strip Maiden Stakes (Division I) 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
1. Ami D’Jani Mr S A Walker
2. CS Patriarch Mr D I Turner
3. CS Viceroy Mr S Harrison

Distances: 2,4 Time: 02:21:90
Winner owned and bred by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin R Al Maktoum. Trained by Mr W M Smith.

Ami D’Jani (Tidjani X Amira D’Albret) obliged in the style of a true favourite, always up with the pace, this smart young colt quickened clear with a useful turn of foot to kick clear and win by a going away two lengths. The second CS Patriarch (Makzan X Pokrovka) was impressive coming home strongly clear of the rest, this well bred gelding looks smart and whilst no match for the winner he quickened clear in fine style down the final furlong. CS Viceroy (Vert Olive X VK Crisaa) was totally outclassed on his only start as a three year old in 2003, he looked much more clued up at Wolverhampton and ran a fine race to finish within six lengths of the potentially Group class Ami D’Jani.

The Shindagha Graduation Stakes (0-105) Anglo & Part Breds 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
1. Ardente Sauvage Mr S A Walker
2. Star Key Mr S Harrison
3. Hardtoback Mr R G Wollard

Distances: 8,7 Time: 02:09:70
Winner owned and trained by Mrs A Batchelor. Bred by E.A.R.L. Du Moulin, MME Solange Tuchaa.

Ardente Sauvage (Feu Ardent X L’Eau Sauvage) an impressive looking Anglo-Arab was always up with pace and produced a swift turn of foot off the final bend to quicken clear by eight lengths. Star Key (Fils De Roches X Marlies Gohr) is a true Anglo blue blood and ran a fine race in second, he has matured since his only run last season; he has filled out since and ran on well – he should come on for the run. Hardtoback was a further seven lengths back and was no match for either of the first two.

The Al Wasl Classified Stakes (0-75) 1 Mile 4 Furlongs:
1. Mellway Gold Charm Mr S Harrison
2. Hayleys Comet Mr P Collington
3. Djelai Miss J Buckley

Distances: ½, ½, Time: 03: 29: 90
Winner owned, trained and bred by Mrs J Hutchings.

Mellway Gold Charm (Naresh X Alcina) scored for the second time of asking. This one mile four furlong race was run at a crawl before the winner set off for home, at the four furlong marker she was outpaced and last but showed true grit and determination to plug on past the field and just got up to win by half a length at the post. Hayley’s Comet (Nevesti X Kapilia) was always handy and quickened clear in the final four furlongs, he looks on a decent mark and was unlucky to be caught by the winner in the shadow of the post. Djelai (Djel Bon X Danaide Al Maury) looks a little high in the handicap at present but showed a likeable attitude and battled on with the first two and he looks as though he may be coming into form.

The Jebel Ali Racing Club Series Qualifier Handicap Stakes (0-65) 7 Furlongs:
1. Lile D’Amour Mr P Collington
2. Sarrafina Mr P J Murphy
3. SA Bibi Mr G C Farr

Distances: 2,3 Time: 01:42:00
Winner owned by Mr & Mrs S Connally. Trained by Mrs S Connally. Bred by Mr & Mrs P Deymonaz.

Lile D’Amour (Merlin Al Maury X Daad) won the fourth race in fine style under a strong ride from Phil Collington. Otto set a breakneck pace for the first three furlongs, whilst the winner was settled just off the pace. This game filly then quickened clear off the final bend to pull clear in by a comfortable two lengths. The second Sarrafina (Khairouan X Fayrelands Gold) was well positioned throughout and plugged on well for second, she seemed to find this trip a shade on the sharp side and will do better when upped in distance. SA Bibi (Abitibi X Florich) was handy throughout but couldn’t quicken up with the first two, he stayed on from the rest of the field.

The Palm Strip Maiden Stakes (Division II) 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
1. Fripon Al Maury Mr S A Walker
2. CS Kabira Mr P Deymonaz
3. Jelvita Mr A S T Holdsworth

Distances: 9, 10 Time: 02:22:30
Winner owned by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin R Al Maktoum. Trained by Mr W M Smith. Bred by Mlle R Koch.