Arabian racing at Doncaster Racecourse Saturday 2nd June 2018
The 11 runner field looks like a competitive renewal and includes the 2017 winner Saleemah, trained by Philip Collington who can do no wrong at present having collected a trio of wins at Chepstow at the last Arabian meeting. Halib Des Forges a winner last season and second in his seasonal debut at Taunton in May, Munawwar and Thamaraat who is likely to have come on from his 2nd place at Chelmsford in April will also represent the inform stable.
Peter Hammersley comes to Doncaster with a triple hand, buoyed by Zayin Angkor Centurion’s excellent 2nd in the Group 3 Royal Cavalry of Oman ARO Cup on Bank Holiday Monday. His runners include Juvenile conditions winner Asraa Min Al-Taqa, the recalcitrant Majid Bin Krayaan and long term campaigner Zayin Zachilles who has ran in this premier handicap for the last two years making his seasonal debut.
Premier handicap specialist and with three wins to his name Kamikaze trained by Adam Newey, is better off in the weights since his last win in 2016.
Jayme Plumb aims Elyassat from some way out of the handicap whilst at the other end of the scale Taunton winner Al Faaris the mount of Jim Crowley has a chance for ARO champion trainer James Owen who has also Tatbeeq a winner of a Huntingdon Maiden and Crahck.
A wide open race with many possible options – the soft ground at Chepstow for ARO’s latest meeting certainly made a difference, faster conditions at Doncaster is likely to favour some more than others if the going stays good to firm, it will certainly be an interesting renewal and should offer some pointers for the Dubai International Prep races that will commence on the 14th June.
Racing Operations Manager Willie McFarland commented: “ARO is very pleased to see such a great response to this race our participants have strong ties to Doncaster who always look after us very well - we are very excited to be back here later in the year when we will be running the President of the UAE Cup (the UK Arabian Derby, Group 1 PA) on St Leger day, Saturday 15th September.”
The next ARO meeting will be held at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Sunday 10th June where a seven race card has attracted bumper entries.
