Quick 1-2 For Owner’s Across The Card Double
One of Kevin’s greatest training feats wasn’t actually a winner. Glory Awaits outran his odds of 150-1 to finish 2nd in the 2013 2000 Guineas, finding only Dawn Approach too good. He did prove that it wasn’t a fluke and went on to win at Group 2 and Listed level following this, providing owner Ahmad Al Shaikh plenty of good days out. After a couple of years break the owner/trainer partnership was reunited last season and made an immediate impact with Alkhawaneej Boy providing a win. It looks like the 2018 team could well be one to look forward to as there was more celebrations when Emaraaty Ana and Zarjaz both earned their first career wins in the white and green silks.
Kevin has built up a fine reputation of handling juveniles and his record speaks for itself. He has sent out just fine 2yr old runners so far this season and although there was no winner from that they had performed with great credit, showing plenty of promise. There was one juvenile that he was waiting to unleash but due to recent weather conditions he had missed a few potential engagements. Emaraaty Ana made a very eye catching start to his career when he won on debut in the 5f British EBF Novice Stakes at Windsor.
Emaraaty Ana is from a family that Kevin knows as he trained the half brother Weld Al Emarat. He was a big horse who had plenty of talent but a few little issues prevented him from reaching that potential. Knowing the dam could produce a nice one, Kevin was delighted when he got sent the Shamardal colt, the first one he trained by the stallion.
It was clear early on that Ana would be early enough as he showed plenty of speed but he was also mentally very forward. Taking everything in his stride Ana impressed as his work was continually stepped up to the point where he was ready to run. Although he came to hand early and showed the speed needed for 5f, Kevin was always a little wary that the colt was a late foal. Born May 10th, Ana would not actually be 2 if he were to run in the first six weeks of the season. There is one thing that you do with juveniles and that is listen to them, so when Emaraaty Ana continued to shine in his work it was clear he was ready, whatever age he was.
Obviously there are plenty of options but when Kevin knew that his owner was coming to London, Windsor was the perfect opportunity for him to see his colt in action. The race attracted just 7 runners and there was only one horse with previous experience. That experience was a win for the Mark Johnston trained Blown By Wind, so naturally he was very strong favourite. The race looked all about one horse but Kevin was confident of a big run from Ana, despite it being his debut. Tom Queally is Ahamad Al Shaikh’s jockey of choice and was at Windsor to partner the juvenile.
What they do at home can be completely different at the racecourse. Ana who is a calm juvenile was very boisterous before the race, showing his inexperience but nothing over the top. Fortunately after that he was the consummate professional, loading without any issue and then jumping smartly. Drawn alongside the favourite he jumped on terms with him and then matched him, getting into stride quickly and moving forward to press for the early lead. Anthem Of Peace was slowly away but then raced up keen on the inside to make a line of three at the head of affairs through the first furlong, whilst the race settled in behind as a wall of four.
Quickly through the early stages the field moved past the elbow and Ana took the overall lead on the inside of the favourite. The outsider of the field became detached so the rest raced 3×3 but the didn’t last too long. As they began to bare down on the halfway point those in behind began to flounder as the pace remained high. This allowed the three leaders to press on but it was Anthem Of Peace that cracked along the rail with his jockey working hard to match strides with his two pace setting rivals. Ana was travelling strongly, so much so that James Doyle, on board the favourite, allowed him to take the lead in order to try and get a toe into the latter stages.
Moving past the 2f marker and the race became a match up between Emaraaty Ana and Blown By Wind. There was no match in size as Mark Johnstons colt looked a far bigger colt alongside Ana, but it was Kevin’s charge who was the one looking most relaxed at this point. As the two got a break from the rest, it was Jame Doyle who got lower in the saddle. There was no distress signs but he was just starting to work to keep tabs on Ana. Although travelling the strongest, Ana had never been in this position before and so from here on in it would be all a new experience. As his rival moved up alongside, Tom gave his mount a little longer before starting to wind him up. With just 1 1/2 furlongs to run the pair had move a few lengths clear to settle down to a duel.
Who was going to flinch first? It turned out to be the favourite as Doyle went for his stick moving inside the final furlong. Emaraaty Ana had the rail, had the lead and had a jockey who had yet to get serious. Now it was clear that there was a true battle on for Blown By Wind and at the minute he was losing. Passing the furlong pole and now Tom had to get a bit more serious as his rival was pressing for everything. With a minimal margin separating the pair Tom gave Ana a quick smack of the whip. With great credit the 2yr old immediately responded and changed his legs. Now he moved into a 1/2 length advantage with just 100 yards to run. The favourite was trying very hard but he just couldn’t match Ana who was not for stopping and began to assert. With both jockeys now knowing the result they eased their mounts down to cross the line with 2 1/4 lengths between them, with the rest well strung out.
It was the perfect start for Emaraaty Ana and he really looked like a smart prospect. Obviously people will point to the 6lb that the favourite had to concede but Ana won with a bit to spare and Tom was not hard on him at all. He showed a very professional attitude throughout the contest, jumping well and leading the race early on. When asked to quicken up he responded well and put the race to bed quite comfortably in the final furlong. He is not even 2yrs old yet and will improve for this. He has always looked like a good horse and this performance confirmed it. Everyone immediately talks about Royal Ascot at this time of year but it is far too early to mention that. Kevin will likely give him time after this run before planning what is next. Emaraaty Ana could well be a pattern horse but at the moment connections will just celebrate the perfect start.
The night was a busy one for Ahamad Al Shaikh with three runners in total. Whilst he was waiting for his second runner at Windsor, further north at Southwell, Zarjaz was making his third career start. Whilst his two stable mates were seeing the racecourse for the first time, Zarjaz put his experience to good use, making all and galloping his rivals into the ground to win the 1 Mile Compare Bookies At Freebetting.co.uk Novice Stakes.
Zarjaz arrived at Hambleton Lodge late last year and although a big colt he was very raw. Kevin knew he wouldn’t be ready to race in 2017 but decided to keep him going through the winter, with the all-weather a target early in 2018. Time was important to Zarjaz and although he didn’t come to hand quite as quickly as expected he did make his debut on the artificial surface. At home he had shaped as though he may be horse wanting a trip and his future could lie in middle distance contests.
Newcastle was the starting point for Zarjaz, making his debit over 1m2f. Showing plenty of inexperience throughout the contest he was slowly away, raced at the rear of the field and then stayed on one paced at the end. It was a pleasing start and clear that he would learn a lot for the run. This proved true when just 13 days later he headed to Wolverhampton for a similar contest. He jumped better and settled nicely towards the rear of the field, travelling well through the race. As the race unfolded he moved through smoothly to come and deliver a challenge. Up to the 1f marker it looked as though he could possibly win but then the eventual winner kicked clear to which he had no answer. It was a step forward and very pleasing as the winner was a good horse who had been placed in listed company.
One of the biggest factors that came from his latest run was that Zarjaz may appreciate stepping back in trip. Having learnt from his experience, Zarjaz was now a lot sharper and Tom (Eaves) felt that 1 mile would suit far more. With this in mind Kevin turned him out at Southwell, over 1 Mile and again in a Novice Stakes. Many people may have felt that this could be a easier opportunity than other places to go but once the declarations came out it became clear that it was a competitive contest for the level. Only 10 runners would line up for the race but there were some big yards represented.
Whilst he had been beaten a long way last time out, Zarjaz was still learning and looked open to improvement. Obviously the punters disagreed and he was seen as an outsider, going off at 16-1. Tom Eaves was on board once and again and took the race by the scruff of the neck from the off. Jumping well from stall 8, Tom drove his mount into the bridle and Zarjaz moved forward to dispute the early going. The James Tate trained pair did likewise but were happy to let Tom take the overall lead. Tracking over from his draw, Zarjaz ended up at the head of the field and had managed to get onto the rail without expending too much energy early on. The pace was true and fair as they settled into their positions.
The first 2 1/2 furlongs is along the back straight so Zarjaz made a beeline for the bend. He travelled nicely on the Polytrack and seemed happy to be in front, the first time he had been in a race environment. Some of the big outsiders were already struggling but those fancied runners were sat in Zarjaz’s slip stream as he took them along into the bend. Heading into the turn he held a length advantage and having raced around Wolverhampton, Zarjaz took the bend with ease.
It is quite a long bend at Southwell and not as tight as many AW tracks. This allowed this giving chase a little bit of time to start moving up on the leader. Half way round the bend they moved past the halfway point of the race and now the market leaders began to begin their challenges, edging a little closer to the front end. Zarjaz travelled well and Tom was yet to make his move although he could sense his rivals readying their charge. With his advantage still a length Tom matched his colleagues move and just let out a bit of rein, allowing Zarjaz to lengthen and increase the pace.
Moving inside the final 3f the field straightened up for home and Tom now kicked from the front. Suddenly the leader and his pursuer Battle Lines moved clear of the rest, opening up into a 3 length advantage. Battle Lines was travelling the better of the two and Zarjaz seemed like he was going to lose his lead unless he could quicken off the pace he had set. Tom had stuck to the orthodox route of centre track whereas Battles Lines jockey, Luke Morris, had swung wide aiming more towards the stands side rail. Moving past the 2f pole the two settled down to battle it out as both jockeys got into their full drives.
Having not seen a rival throughout, Zarjaz still held the lead and still hadn’t been closely challenged. The two drifted further apart but this made no difference to Zarjaz who was proving very genuine and continued to find for pressure. Battle Lines had managed to close the gap but now his run seemed as though it was petering out. Zarjaz now started to hit full flow and the narrow margin began to stretch with each stride. Tom was keeping his mount up to his work moving inside the final furlong. As they galloped towards the line the two started to close together and this showed the length advantage that Zarjaz held. He was finding with every stride which his rival could not match. The rest of the field were strung out like washing as Zarjaz powered towards the line. Passing the winning post he earned his first win by 1 1/2 lengths with daylight to the rest.
Zarjaz has improved with each of his runs and looks likely to continue that trend. He didn’t see another rival and showed a very good attitude to respond to every question asked of him. He saw the trip out very well and was strongest towards the line which gives the impression that he will be better suited to a strong gallop and maybe getting a lead into the race. He is now eligible for a handicap mark and it will be interesting to see how the handicapper views his three performances. Zarjaz is still unexposed and it will be nice to see just how far he can go.