Arabian Racing Review
Taunton Saturday May 3rd
by Paul Simmons

The Mirage Signs Maiden Stakes over 6 Furlongs:
Champion trainer Gill Duffield started as she means to go on with an emphatic winner in the maiden when Phil Collington produced HH Sheikh Hamdan’s Baseerah (Al Sakbe x Qosheeya) too win, always travelling well this game filly powered clear in the final furlong to win by two lengths at the line. Chasing hard in second was Edjalie (Bengali D’Albret x Edjara Al Garamaze) putting in another excellent effort, showing a useful turn of foot she chased the winner to the line and her turn is near. Whilst back in third was the ever consistent The Debator (Bengali D’Albret x Djeba Al Mels) who rallied hard in the final furlong but couldn’t get to the first two.

The Come Arab racing at Exeter on 5th July Sweepstakes 0-50 over 1 Mile 5 F:
Glen Kiff’s consistent handicapper The Way To Go (Way To Go x Nepenthes Al Maury) has always looked a short runner to date, but she made no mistake here under amateur jockey Miss L Ingram to outstay her rivals in smart fashion, in doing so recording her second win of her career for owner Tony Coleman. Anganate Safinat (Manganate x Astree) showed typical guts and courage to chase the winner in the home straight and just failed by half a length to get up on the line, but he is well handicapped at present and is one to keep an eye on. Whilst Serabitibi (Abitibi x Seralciya) showed she is on upgrade with a smart staying performance to finish strongly another half a length back in third.

The Jebel Ali Racing Club Qualifier 0-70 over 1 Mile 2 F:
Phil Collington recorded his second win of the day with a well judged ride on Linda Cross’s tough filly Kizhi (Khairouan x Sucha (Charmer), always up with the pace Phil kicked clear in the home straight and won well at the line with two lengths to spare over the field, in doing so giving trainer Sam Davison her first winner of the season. Back in second was another good effort from Sue Herrod’s consistent mare Cal Mora Pretender (Bakara x Mora Pretenciosa), she was always thereabouts and had to fight hard in the final furlong to hold off the winners stablemate Debrett (Bengali D’Albret x Djeba Al Mels). The latter showed improved form and is one to watch.

The Outdoor Installations Ltd Maiden Stakes over 1 Mile 2 F:
Martin Smith made the most of Collington’s decision to ride Petraunille in the maiden, when powering home on stablemate Estihlal (Al Sakbe x Horkidee) for the unstoppable Duffield yard, giving HH Sheikh Hamdan his second winner of the day. Estihlal only ran once last season coming 3rd over 6 furlongs, but this step up in trip clearly suited and she came with a wet sail in the home straight and cruised to victory to suggest there is plenty to more to come from this smart daughter of former Derby winner Al Sakbe. Petraunille (Al Sakbe x My Princess) was slightly disappointing twelve lengths back in third comprehensively beaten, she was given every chance by Collington but could find no more and was never going to reel the winner in. Whilst back in third Jackie Hutchings smart 2007 Ascot Arab Sale purchase Pakama (Karmah x Pacifica) ran a race full of promise on her debut, coming home strongly in the final furlong and she could prove useful to follow this season.

The Royal Cavalry of Oman Series Qualifier 0-90 Handicap Stakes over 7 F:
Rhys Flint has been riding winners over the winter in the Point to Point arena, and he started the Arab racing season in great form with a confident display of riding on Delyth Thomas’s smart gelding Noble Athlete (Dorwan Du Cayrou x Noble Dame), who showed the field a clean pair of heels to blitz clear in the final furlong and win going away by eight lengths, he looks firmly on the upgrade. Back in third was Sam Davison’s smart pocket rocket WFA Leopard (Bengali D’Albret x Lapsana), who always runs his race and although well beaten by the winner was all out to hold off stablemate Sabden (Bengali D’Albret x Sambella). The latter is still relatively lightly raced and is one for the short list this season.

The Outdoor Installations Ltd 0-100 handicap Stakes over 1 Mile 2 F:
Bill Smith’s yard also hit form at the opening meeting when Kepassa (an expensive purchase at Goffs Sale in 2006) finally started to show the potential expected of him by winning in some style under Simon Walker. Kepassa (Akbar x Kesperla) was cruising throughout and was kept up to his work in the final furlong to win by a length and half for owner HH Sheikh Mohammed. Back in second was useful yardstick Deolali (Khairouan x Operetta) who made the winner work hard for his win and was a credible length and half away at the line. Whilst Final Fling (Djamel x FH Honey Mellon) who won so well at Kempton Park last season ran another solid race here, chasing the first two inside the final furlong and just missing out on second at the line by a short head.