Arabian Racing Review
Hereford 4th July
by Paul Simmons

1st race – Maiden over 7 Furlongs:
Evens favourite Qareim De Faust set a decent pace from the start ensuring the field went a good gallop with 6/4 on shot Qattab de Faust snapping at his heels, and it soon became apparent that the race was between these two as they duelled for the lead inside the final two furlongs with Qattab De Faust (Dormane x Kaolina) under another strong ride from Martin Smith just getting the upper hand inside the shadow of the post to win by a length from Phil Collington on Qareim De Faust (Dormane x Harein De Faust), both owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan and trained by Gill Duffield. Nasheet (Vasilisk x Mangana) was well beaten twelve lengths back in third and plugged on ahead of a one paced Miswadah.

2nd race – OPEN Handicap 0-170 over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
Anglo Arab mare Dancing Grace (Dancing Spree x Hardtoboss) is proving a revelation this season for owner/trainer and breeder Jenny Peyton, she was always handy and was coasting in behind the leader Trouble Maker inside the final two furlongs before kicking clear in the final furlong under a well judged ride from David Prichard to win going away by a length, and there looks to be plenty more to come from this progressive Anglo mare. TB -Trouble Maker led the charge under owner/jockey Lee Moulson but once headed couldn’t find any extra and had to settle for second. TB - Mandys Maestro was well beaten back in third but got up close home to take the place spot from Kooks. (TB = thoroughbred).

3rd race – Handicap 0-60 over 2 Miles:
Notid (Tidjani x Sherrie Noreen) clearly loves this track and trip and duly won this event for the second year in a row for trainer David Paton under a determined ride from Fred Offord. He was soon in command and galloped his rivals into submission in the closing stage with only Kayeed and Sharka making any real challenge in the final two furlongs and won impressively in the end by five lengths. Kayeed (Kheirella x Joli) ran another solid race making the run in the early stages but he couldn’t catch the winner. Whilst Sharka (Makzan x Humarniwho has been doing endurance this season stayed on dourly in the closing stages ahead of stablemate Kizhi.

4th race – Novice Rider Race 0-70 over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
Ebraam (Al Sakbe x Dorswayne du Cayrou) is bred to winner the derby but has been struggling recently, however, here he made no mistake under an energetic and powerful ride from Jack Sherwood, the 7/4 shot was always travelling well and Sherwood went for home inside the final two furlongs and pulled easily clear of the field to win going away by an impressive eight lengths for owner HH Sheikh Hamdan and trainer Gill Duffield. Floren (Bengali D’Albret x Florys De Nautiac) ran another superb race in second travelling well throughout and challenging gamely in the final furlong but had no answer to the winner, he remains in fine form this term. Whilst Wikkara (The Wiking x Akara De Syrah) is clearly going the right way, he was held up with a run and came with effort in the final two furlongs but never looked like reaching the winner, he rallied gamely in the final furlong to finish within half a length of Floren.

5th race – Ascot Sales Graduation Stakes over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
Noble Athlete (Dorwan Du Cayrou x Noble Dame) is in the form of his life this season and followed up his superb win at Ffos Las last week with another resolute performance here. Estival made the running and upped the pace inside the final half mile with Noble Athlete cruising in behind, as they hit the final two furlong Noble Athlete went for home under a strong ride from Champion jockey Simon Walker and was all out inside the final furlong to hold off a relentless challenge from a determined Estival to win by half a length at the line for owner/trainer Delyth Thomas. Estival (Khairouan x Viny De Passerat) looks to be coming to hand and ran a really strong race here showing plenty of guts and determination in the closing stages. Whilst Pacific Way (Way To Go x Bacifica) ran well for a long way but couldn’t raise her game inside the final furlong but was in turn well clear of the fourth.

6th race – Handicap 0-85 over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs:
Qawaafil predictably set a scorching pace from the start to ensure this race was a true test of stamina and was several lengths clear at one stage, but Simon Walker was stalking in behind on Few And Far (The Wiking x Elina Des Fabries) and as they approached the final four furlongs Walker –scoring a double - kicked for home on this progressive mare and went easily clear to win by an easy fourteen lengths (including an impressive jump of the road crossing) for owner and breeder HH Sheikh Mohammed and trainer Bill Smith, and she would have to be a big danger to Aljaareh for the stayers handicap on Dubai Day now. Qawaafil (Vasilisk x Bisbille) was a shade disappointing back in second being comprehensively beaten by the winner, she perhaps went to fast to soon and was very one paced inside the final furlongs but she is still young and can improve further. Whilst Al Fairooz (Makzan x Carthagenna) looked to be struggling from the half way stage and was plugging on at the finish but his stamina looks suspect based on this effort.

8th race – Handicap 0-50 over 1 Mile 1 Furlongs:
Hayleys Comet (Nevesti x Kapilia) proved he is no back number here and scored a game victory here for onwer/trainer Helen Bona. Always up with the pace he went to the front three furlongs from home under a great ride from Oliver Garner and inspite of stablemate Lady Marisha and Millenium Leap in hot pursuit inside the final furlong he kept his head in front and won well ay the line with a couple of lengths to spare. Millenium Leap (Khairouan x Balla Star) ran a fantastic race in second on her debut for owner/trainer Mark Cooper, she set a scorching pace and although passed in the closing stages she showed real determination to try to get past the winner on the final furlog. Lady Marisha (Nevesti x Shimmering Spektra) was another three lengths back in third and whilst she ran on well in the closing stages she never looked like passing the first two.