Youmzain Impresses On Debut
Kodiac is a sire that just produces winners year in and year out. Whenever you see the big 2 year old races many of the them are filled with progeny of the prolific stallion. Unfortunately he hasn’t been very lucky for Kevin but that may have just changed now. Hello Youmzain is a big, strapping son of Kodiac and with a lovely pedigree to boot he showed that he could well be a prospect to look forward. He made a very impressive debut to win the 6f Smarkets British EBF Maiden Stakes at Carlisle.
Bred and Owned by Jaber Abdullah, Hello Youmzain arrived at Hambleton Lodge and always looked an imposing figure. Although he was sired by a stallion renowned for precocious juveniles, Youmzain didn’t look like he would be a typical early type. He impressed in his work early on and surprised quite a few in the yard as he actually looked like he might come to hand earlier than expected. Then came the growing stage and it was decided that the best for the horse was to wait until he strengthened into his powerful frame.
Patience proved the correct call and in the last month Youmzain thrived. After a couple of good pieces of work it was decided that the track was calling so it was just a case of finding a race for him. There was plenty of options and Kevin plumped for Carlisle, in a 6f maiden. The declarations saw a field of 11 confirmed for the contest and on paper there was nothing in there that was very strong on form already shown.
Evidently the punters saw Youmzain as the best pick of the field and took him to make winning debut as he was backed into 9/4f. Kevin Stott was on board for the ride and as always with juveniles, he had free rein of how to ride with education being the most important aspect. It always depends on how they jump first time out as to how the jockeys will ride and Hello Youmzain was quite well away. Drawn wide Kevin couldn’t force the issue and risk being stuck wide, so he let the horse take his time to find his stride. With a few of the field willing to go forward Kevin tucked in from his draw to sit towards the rear of the field. Quickly passing a kink in the track the field stayed spread open until just after a furlong when they were able to converge and race more as a group.
Experience was to the fore as the leading pair were the ones with strongest form on show. They were also the main market rivals so Youmzain would have to make up plenty of ground to overhaul them and make a winning debut. They looked to shunning the rail as the leaders angled more towards the centre of the track due to the ease in the ground. Youmzain travelled down the hill ok but just needed a little nursing from Kevin to keep him balanced and in a nice rhythm.
As they headed down past halfway the leader took them around the bend and into the straight. All the time the pace was increasing and Kevin just nudged Youmzain closer, yard by yard and he was nicely moving through the gears. The field panned our across the track and this almost dragged Youmzain wide. Realising where the dangers were, Kevin put his right hand down and switched his mount inside getting a clearer view of the leading pair. Cheerupmylove and Arabic Channel were trying to kick clear from the front and this had the rest working hard. As the field now laid down their challenges there was only Hello Youmzain left on the bridle and he was taking Kevin into the race with ease.
Arabic Channel snatched the lead passing the 2f marker and was trying to break away. Unfortunately for him Youmzain had him in his sights and Kevin was still motionless in the saddle. The finish is stiff at Carlisle and with no previous experience behind his mount Kevin decided not to take the win for granted. Slowly getting the grip tighter on the reins and getting lower in the saddle Kevin began to ask for more from Youmzain. His stride lengthened and with 1 1/2f to run he took the lead. Little was coming from out of the pack and his closest rival, Arabic Channel, couldn’t respond immediately.
It took a few strides for Hello Youmzain to start to get into full flow. Hitting the front he just needed some help to realise what to do. Kevin changed his hands, got hold of his mount and showed him what was needed. Once he got the hang of things he then started to power on. Entering the final furlong he had just over a length advantage but now he was really starting to lengthen and learn the task at hand. As the ground got stiffer the further he could extend away and Kevin was just needed to educate. Pushing him out all the way, Youmzain stretched clear in the final furlong and nothing could match his power up the hill. For the final 1/2 furlong it was about how far he would win by and the margin was getting bigger and bigger. Powering all the way through the line Hello Youmzain strode to an impressive 4 length win.
This was a very taking debut win and done so with relative minimal fuss. Kevin was easy enough on Youmzain and it was a hands and heels ride. It took Youmzain a little time to find is feet which was expected but he learnt very quickly and strode out very nicely once asked. It is another nicely bred colt for Mr Jaber Abdullah and he looks like he has another nice prospect on his hands. Hello Youmzain will improve a ton for the experience which really doe make him an exciting juvenile. He certainly looks like a horse who develop again next year but he will run again this season. What’s next will be discussed and whatever is right for the horse but Hello Youmzain certainly got his career off in impressive style.