Arabian Racing Review
Exeter 5th July
by Paul Simmons

Inspite of appalling weather which rained solidly for the entire meeting an excellent and enthusiastic crowd turned up and were treated to some competitive racing and thrilling finishes.

The Southbrook Arabians Maiden Stakes over 7 Furlongs:
Another competitive maiden and another sure fire superstar for Gill Duffield’s powerful string with HH Sheikh Hamdan’s Inshaad (Al Sakbe x Aksarka) showing the power and speed of her illustrious bloodlines to record a good battling victory under a confident ride from Phil Collington. Held up with a run Inshaad came with her run inside the two furlong marker and swept past Djalk inside the final furlong to win well by half a length. Djalk (Al Sakbe x Djalmina) was settled midfield and took the lead inside the final two furlongs with CS Jakari and Inshaad in game pursuit, and to his credit he kept battling away inside the final furlong and is one to note for the future. CS Jakari (Makzan x CS Comete (Bengali D’Albret)) did the best of the juveniles, and ran a game race on her racecourse debut travelling well throughout and showing a burst of speed inside the final two furlongs; and although she tired to finish third will come on for the run and was clear of the rest. (CS Jakari is entered in the Juvenile Group 2 Jumeirah Stakes on Dubai Day).

The Royal Cavalry of Oman Handicap Stakes 0-95 over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
A fantastic finish to a highly competitive handicap. Fedor Du Bournais cut out the running setting a decent pace until being swept past by Nasij who made a bold bid for victory from the half way stage but ultimately the big guns were cruising in behind. Estival was always settled in behind and going well throughout, she kicked clear into the lead two furlongs out with Deolali, Alize Safinat and Jelvita battling in behind. As they hit the final furlong marker the winner could have been any of the four although Estival looked to be going well until veering violently to the left, before running on strongly by the stands rail. But David Turner was hard at work on Deolali (Khairouan x Operetta) and timed his run to perfection on this game gelding and just got home by a head for Sam Davison, with Estival (Khairouan x Viny De Passerat) an unlucky second. Alize Safinat (Tidjani x Al Din) for the Royal Cavalry of Oman was finishing best of all and battled on well another head back in third, with the ever consistent Jelvita a neck back in fourth.

The Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap Stakes 0-55 over 1 Mile:
An inspired riding performance from Anna Wallace on David Paton’s tough old gelding Anganate Safinat (Manganate x Astree) who was recording his third victory. Wallace had Safinat prominent throughout and took command in the final two furlongs in a game effort for victory, but Sheriek was flying inside the final furlong and they were all out to hold on at the line to win by half a length. An excellent seasonal debut from Sheriek (Frere Des Loups x Satin Sheiks) , held up throughout she made good progress in the home straight and was finishing fast and furious in the final furlong and just failed to get up on the line. Whilst The Way To Go (Way To Go x Nepenthes Al Maury) ran her usual game race back in third, held up and came with her effort inside the final furlong but never looked like catching the first two.

The Ajay Construction Ltd Handicap Stakes 0-80 over 6 Furlongs:
A second winner of the day for David Turner who rode a superbly judged ride on Carol Legg’s brave old handicapper Pavots Dreamboy (Pavot Al Maury x Autumn Dream). Turner had Dreamboy sitting nicely in behind long time leader Sabden in this fast paced sprint and then went clear inside the final two furlongs showing his useful turn of foot, but Popidol Kossack (Marwan x Peseta) finished like a train down the stands rail and was gaining with every stride at the line; but Dreamboy is a hardened campaigner and stuck his neck out to win. Popidol Kossack ran a gutsy race under near top weight in second and was staying on with real determination in the final furlong. Whilst The Debator (Bengali D’Albret x Djeba Al Mels) showed her speed and determination to finish a length and half back in third, she was all out in the final furlong but stayed on ahead of Chazan.

The Shaw & Fox Handicap Stakes 0-65 over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
Another great race with Gill Plumbley’s talented mare Pacific Way (Way To Go x Bacifica) losing her maiden tag in fine style under top weight with a well timed ride from Martin Smith. They went a good pace with Raihan going for home from the five furlong marker before Operatic led the charge into the home straight. Pinkie Tuscadero (Izentespeshal x Altyv) led inside the final two furlongs but looked to be tiring inside the final furlong and Pacific Way burst through to win nicely by two lengths. Pinkie kept on well for second whislt Notid (Tidjani x Sherrie Noreen) was plugging on for third finishing best of all ahead of a one paced Operatic.

The Dutnall and Walker Maiden Stakes over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
HH Sheikh Mohammed’s homebred filly Maakar continued Bill Smith’s excellent run of form this season with a confident victory here, she was held up throughout in mid field under a confident Simon Walker. Maakar (Karmah x Mesange Al Maury) then came with her run inside the final two furlongs and was starting to pull away from the field inside the final furlong with her only real danger being Sakeena Sky Zayin who was making good progress down the centre of the track and staying on in determined fashion; but Maakar set sail for home inside the final furlong and won by four lengths at the line. Sakeena Sky Zayin (Karmah x Sweet Simplicity) ran a promising race on her debut, she was held up at the back of the field throughout and made her way through the pack inside the final three furlongs and although wandering slightly inside the final furlong she was well clear of the field. Yaqoot (Darike x Nirva De Cardonne) also made an impressive racecourse debut, held up throughout she came to challenge Maakar and Sakeena at the two furlong marker, but tired inside the final furlong and finished another five lengths back in third.