Report from Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai “City Bowl” Race Day at Salisbury


By Peter Moore at Salisbury Thursday 16th May 2024

Salisbury’ s second meeting of the season, Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai “City Bowl” Race day featured a Class 3 handicap over 1m 6f which went to the Hughie Morrison trained Kyle Of Lochalsh ridden by Billy Loughnane.

On his return to turf, the four year old was always travelling well and won comfortably by six lengths from Pawapuri.

After the race, Morrison hinted that the colt may well run in the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting next month.

The opening race on the card, an apprentice handicap was won by the 11-10 favourite Bea Jardine under Shariq Mohd.

The six year old finished third eleven days ago at Salisbury in heavy ground and with the ground described as soft enjoyed the going to win by four and a half lengths.

Pont Neuf is certainly a very quirky character. The two year old unseated Charlie Bishop in the paddock at Kempton on his debut run in April before going on to win. Today once again he proved a handful for Bishop before the race, but settled down and went on to get the better of newcomer Kassaya by three quarters of a length in the 5f novice stake despite carrying top weight and a penalty.

There was a turn up for the books in the 6f handicap when Thunderous Love got her nose in front for the first time under claimer Olivia Tubb for Jonathan Portman to win by two and three quarter lengths at 25-1.

Raf Beckett’s yard is beginning to start firing with the Kimpton Down trainer saddling the first and second in the 1m 2f novice stakes, with Oxford Comma getting the honours over stablemate Galaxy Princess.

In the finale another trainer who is begging to start producing winners is James Fanshawe. The Newmarket based trainer continued his good form at the moment by saddling East India Dock to an impressive nine and a half lengths success over Cracker Star, after being upped in trip.