Eight runners will contest the Equine MediRecord (0-70) Handicap Stakes to be run at Wolverhampton on Saturday 21 November. The nine-and-a-half furlong contest supported by Emirates Breeders will be the penultimate contest in the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) season.
The race features a strong hand from local trainer Peter Hammersley whose string is in great form at present winning yesterday with Abiyah Athbah at Chelmsford City. He also saddled the second, third and fourth in a similar contest at the Midlands track on Monday. Three of those runners reappear here, in Samawaat (second), Zayin Zyperion (third) and Bin Al Reeh (ninth), however his strongest contender could be Al-Tabari, owned by his wife Michelle. The four-year-old gelding won here over a mile and half on his most recent start, having previously run well to be fourth over course and distance on his seasonal reappearance.
Bin Al Reeh runs in the colours of HH Sheikha Maryam bin Maktoum Al Maktoum who also owns his half-sister Deena Bint Krayaan, trained by Nikki Malcolm. The eight-year-old mare put up a career best effort on Monday and though needs to step up again, is going the right way now.
Leading trainer James Owen fields Arwen Forta for his own Racing Club and Mawarid for ARO Patron HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. Arwen Forta won here over a mile before disappointing behind Al-Tabari over a mile and a half; whilst Mawarid is yet to build on the promise he showed last year, he has the assistance of His Highness’s retained jockey Jim Crowley in the saddle for the first time.
Completing the line-up is Falcon Du Roc’h who is making his belated seasonal reappearance. Still a maiden, he has run well here twice, including on his debut last year when third to Abiyah Athbah and finishing ahead of Arwen Forta.
Equine MediRecord’s Chief Operating Officer Finlay Dargan commented: “We’re delighted to support Arabian racing in the UK and overseas. We’re really looking forward to seeing who takes home the first Equine MediRecord Handicap Stakes!”
Genny Haynes, Arabian Racing Organisation Commercial and Finance Director said: “We are delighted that Equine MediRecord have joined with the Emirates Breeders to be lead sponsors of this race. Their digital system has been instrumental in allowing us to race this season and has been a huge help to all our participants.
“ARO is extremely grateful for the support of all our valued sponsors this year, which has enabled us to maintain our presence as part of UK racing. In addition, we also thank the British Horseracing Authority and Wolverhampton Racecourse for their continued assistance this season.”
