REPORT:
A blistering hot day for racing on the all weather surface
at Southwell on Sunday 17th July meant a stiff task for
all horses and riders. The opening race went to the Gill
Duffield trained NAJAYEB, Owned by H H Sheik Hamdan Bin
R Al Maktoum and ridden by Phil Collington who, along with
David Turner, is giving reigning champion jockey Simon
Walker a stiff challenge for the title this season. NAJAYEB looks a useful recruit after winning the CLARENDON
STUD MAIDEN STAKES in impressive style (see photo).
Simon Walker quickly followed up with a winner on ZA'EEMAH in the 2.30, a 3 horse race that developed into a match
after SIng me A Song was left at the start. ZA'EEMAH was
reported as a useful recruit last season and had little
difficulty seeing of his only rival SHAFAQ.
The Jebel Ali Racing Club Banded Stakes (Series Qualifier)
attracted a competitive field and the result was a first
Arab Racing Win for the 33/1 outsider EL HAMSA who had
shown nothing in his two previous outings but never looked
in danger of defeat from two furlongs out and won at his
leisure. Owned by Mr S Goodings, trained
by Mr
J Morris and ridden by Mr S Goodings, EL HAMSA showed his appreciation
for being dropped into this grade.
The useful JIYUSH came back to form in fine style in the
3.30, recording a second win for the H H Sheik
Hamdan Bin R Al Maktoum, Gill Duffield and Phil Collington combination.
Returning from a spell in Dubai, JIYUSH proved he was as
good as ever, winning the Southwell Racecourse Handica
Stakes over 1m 3f, conceding weight to his 3 rivals.
Ardent Arab Racing supporters, Mr & Mrs A Connally,
had a deserved success with their consistent all-weather
performer, LILE D'AMOUR who recorded her first win of the
season in fine style when winning the PAMELA LINNEY
BANDED STAKES under a fine ride from Sam Holdsworth.
The penultimate race of the meeting again saw the winner
owned by H H Sheik Hamdan Bin R AL Maktoun, but this time
it was trained by Bill Smith and ridden by Simon
Walker (his second winner of the day). A good finish (see photo)
saw KHULAN hold on in style, beating ABRA, ridden by the
talented Ryan Cummings, by a shade over one length.
The final race of the meeting saw Owner, Trainer and Jockey
Miss Caroline Green winning with her ten year old gelding SUGAR
DANDY who was returned at the generous starting price
of 10/1. Sugar Dandy had missed the 2004 season, but had
shown he was as good as ever finishing second on both his
two outings this term and, given a fine ride by Caroline
(Green), the combination returned to the winners enclosure
to a well deserved round of applause.
Five favourites won from the 7 race card, ensuring spectators
went home happy, while the lead at the top of the 2005
jockey championships now stands at 10 winners each for
Simon Walker and Phil Collington with David Turner hot
on their heels with a score of 9 winners.
