Dubai Day August 07 Review
ARO Edit By Paul Simmons

The Emirates Airlines Premier Handicap Stakes 0-75 over 7 furlongs:
They went a fair clip from the start with Shuhood quickly prominent down the centre of the track under Champion jockey Phil Collington, also handy was Pavots Dreamboy, CS Charma and Rampart. As they hit the two furlong marker Collington pressed the button on the eye catching Shuhood who kicked clear in the final furlong with CS Charma chasing hard in his slip stream, but in the end Shuhood (Bengali D’Albret x Shunah) won going away by two lengths for owners the Spencer-Butlers and Patterson’s and leading trainer Sam Davison who took this race last year. Commenting afterwards Davison said “He stays all day and when he jumped out in front I knew we had it, he has so much heart”. CS Charma (Amer x Ciarosa) ran a superb race in defeat on his seasonal debut for owner HH Sheikh Mohammed and had every chance inside the final furlong but was never going to pass the winner, whilst Penny Black (Chndaka x Pevunja) ran a blinder for new trainer Sarah Saunders; she didn’t get the best of starts but was flying at the finish to take third just ahead of Davison’s other runner Rampart (Bengali D’Albret x WMA Racheal).

The Group 1 Al Hai Group Zaabeel Stakes over 6 furlongs:
Effectively known as the sprint championship and Dahess who has carried all before him in Group sprint races including winning this for the last two years won once again in the style of a true champion and an incredibly impressive achievement at eight years of age. Dahess was held up in the early stages but was always stalking the leader, he was produced under a timely ride by Dominic Bouland inside the final furlong and powered clear to win as he liked by an easy four lengths for owner/breeder HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin K Al Thani (Umm Qarn Farm owner). *Dahess is entered in the French Arqana Arabian Racehorse Sale in Sept (formerly Gofss). Back in second was Al Tibr (Dormane x CT Valentina) who made the running under a determined Simon Walker, he rallied hard inside the final furlong but was no match for the winner but kept on for second ahead of Nokomys (Amer x KTP Mystic Flight). The latter ran a superb race on her first Group 1 effort, she was held up and came with her run but couldn’t reel the first two in, she continues to impress. Whilst the ever tough and consistent WFA Leopard (Bengali D’Albret x Lapsana) ran on for fourth.

The Group 1 NBD Hatta Mares Stakes over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
Sadly only five went to post for this race due to it clashing with the French Breeders Cup and the fact that Al Dhama may have scared the opposition away, but it was a quality field that went to post and Raihan although last was only out paced in the final two furlongs and clearly is a talented mare on her day. Smart Dutch Derby winner Somra who was 2nd in the UK Derby cut out the running with the smart French raider Ouassila Thabet (Akbar x Harka) stalking in behind, she quickened clear inside the final two furlongs but Marc Nobili was always going well and pushed Ouasilla Thabet to challenge the gallant mare stretched clear to go one better than last year and land her first Group 1 victory. Somra (Dormane x Solonge) kept on for second and is as tough as they come, whilst Bill Smith’s runner Osaira (Tidjani x Cassels Celeste) rallied hard in the final furlong but was never nearer than third.

The Group 1 Shadwell Dubai Stakes over 1 Mile 2 Furlongs:
No Risk Al Maury (Kesberoy x Nectarine Al Maury) has always looked like a class horse and has been held in high esteem by Champion trainer Gill Duffield. He was sent off 7/4 favourite and never really gave his backers any chance to doubt him as he cruised along mid field under a supremely confident Richard Hills. This gallant son of Kesberoy went to the front two furlongs from home and pulled clear at the line to win by a decent length and a quarter over Muneef (Amer x Massala De Piboul) for owner HH Sheikh Hamdan. Speaking afterwards trainer Gill Duffield who was recording her seventh win in this race said “He just keeps improving and is a wonderful horse to train, he just takes it all in his stride and is a complete professional. After he won thr International Handicap here last time out over an inadequate mile under top weight of ten stone I knew he could take this, and he’s done it so well”. Back in second was an impressive Muneef who was staying on determinedly in the final furlong to just deny Kandar Du Falgas (Kesberoy x Djoulia Du Falgas) by a short head; the latter tried to catch the winner but was always being held.

The Jumeirah International Stakes (Juvenile - 3 yrs only) Group 2 over 7 Furlongs:
Barag (Kairouan De Jos x Bryans Time) who had won back in France was settled at the rear of the field, but as the race entered the closing stages he came with a flying run to lead inside the final two furlongs and drew clear to win going away by two lengths and this colt has a big future. Back in second was Shohrah (Al Sakbe x Volna) for Gill Duffield, this game filly rallied hard in the final furlong chasing the winner all the way to the line but was never going to pass him; never the less this was an impressive run on only her second start. Whilst Soumaoro (Kesberoy x Svetlana) did it the hard way, cutting out the running and upping the pace in the final two furlongs before being passed; he stayed on well in the closing stages to hold onto third ahead of Prince Dormant (Prince D’Orient x Iktidar).

The Jebel Ali Handicap Stakes 0-105 over 1 Mile 5 furlongs:
Taabeer was sent off even money favourite partnered by Richard Hills but it was the younger brother Aljaareh off his feather weight who scored in the end for owner HH Sheikh Hamdan and Champion trainer Gill Duffield. Aljaareh (Khairoaun x Bisbille) was always up near the pace travelling exceptionally well under a confident Martin Dwyer, he was ridden to lead inside the final four furlongs and ran on well under pressure inside the last two furlongs and when challenged by Taabeer (Vasilisk x Bisbille) in the final furlong he dug deep to hold on by a length and a half. Taabeer lost nothing in defeat under top weight and remains a classy stayer. Whilst Deolali (Khairoaun x Operetta) came right back to form for the Davison stable, he was held up at the rear and made steady progress in the home straight to take third inside the final furlong from Dutch raider Mistral Del Sol (Kerbella x Mini Miel).

The Horse Breeders Society Handicap Stakes 0-90 over 1 Mile:
Bill Smith was enduring a frustrating run of seconds and thirds and was believed by many to have the banker in the last with Earlsdon, however, stable jockey Simon Walker picked the wrong one as Sam Holdsworth partnered Angel Picamer owned and bred by long time Arabian racing supporter Zelda Angel, to win this valuable handicap. Angel Picamer (Amer x Picea HT) was always running up with the pace, she was given a superb ride by Holdsworth who produced her to lead inside the final furlong; and when asked the question this scopey mare kicked clear with a decent turn of foot to hold off the fast finishing 5/4 favourite Mutafanen (Makzan x Simooma) by two lengths at the line. The latter lost nothing in defeat he chased the mare all the way to the line but he never looked like catching her. Whilst Earlsdon (Akbar x Elgonda) seemed out paced mid race but ran on well inside the final furlong to hold onto third ahead of Jelvita (Njewman x Vite Amine). Winning trainer Bill Smith said afterwards “She came out of her Lingfield race so well and I have never seen her look so well, we knew she had big chance here and she did it well”.