Ikaab shows no signs of slowing down

There was another remarkable victory for the Christian Wroe-trained Ikaab at Nad Al Sheba yesterday, on an evening when the talented, but luckless Billy Newnes broke a 97-day losing streak to score what was his long-awaited second win of the season aboard the impressive Bathwick.

Ikaab's win in a 0-50 handicap was noteworthy not only because of the manner in which it was achieved, but also because of the context in which it came. Though all of nine years of age the Danzig gelding continues to defy the odds and has already won twice this season in three starts. He finished second to Perpero three weeks ago.

Yesterday Ikaab, who won the Jebel Ali Mile when trained by Kiaran McLaughlin in 1996, produced a vintage effort for stable jockey Darren Biggs to beat favourite King Midas, the mount of Seb Sanders, and second favourite Fatal Sahra, ridden by Pat Smullen, by half a length.

"He's very genuine for an old horse," said polo player turned trainer Wroe. "I thought he was a little bit too prominent in the race as I was worried at the pace that I though was going to be there, but it wasn't there. But he travelled very quick over the last furlong and in the end won well.

"It just shows that if you've got a genuine old horse the important thing is to keep him sweet," he added. "Because you know when he feels well he's going to go out and battle. We knew last week that he was very good, better than he's been all season. He has had his problems but we spent time getting them right. We've only had him for a year and a half and he wasn't sound enough to run more than once last season. It wasn't worthy pushing him."

Ikaab was highly regarded as a three-year-old when trained by Maj Dick Hern at Lambourn. He has had 24 career starts for six wins, including yesterdays.

Twice-former champion trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam, who is not having the best of season, completed a gratifying double with Persuasivo Fitz and Mazaarr as winner picking turned out to be a hazardous business given the quality of the fields.

Persuasivo Fitz, who has had not encouraging form this season, was one of the meet's most compelling winners, getting up on the line to beat sprint specialist Kabalevsky in a cracking finish.

The 0-90 mile looked to be a hot handicap as it featured any number of useful and progressive horses. Persuasivo Fitz is a grand looker, who hitherto had not run to his true ability. But in the capable hands of Darragh O'Donohoe, the Argentinean-bred seven-year-old, produced a rattling late run to run down the courageous Kabalevsky, who looked like he would pull of an improbable victory under Anthony Whelan.

Rsace results

1. Al Shafar Group of Companies
Purebred Arabians Maidens (10f):

1. Jelzid (J Smart) Wayne Smith; 2. Tidja (Erwan Charpy) Keith Dalgleish; 3. Wathik (S Al Ketbi) Chris Avery Dist: 1/2L, 9, 2 1/4. Time: 2:19.13

2. TMH Thoroughbred Maidens (6f):
1. Aslaaf (K P Mclaughlin) Richard Hills; 2. Mawaheb (S Seemar) Ted Durcan; 3. Royal Impression (N Robb) Anthony Delpech Dist: 3 1/4L, 1 1/4, 6 1/2. Time: 1:09.84

3. HSBC Thoroughbreds rated 0-50 (7f):
1. Stavanger (S Seemar) Ted Durcan; 2. Prompt Delivery (Bob Hackworth Jr) Gordon Power; 3. Afreet (D J Selvaratnam) Pat Smullen 4Dist: Sh Hd, 2, 2 1/4. Time: 1:25.52

4. Dubai Racing Club Thoroughbreds rated 0-50 (7f):
1. Ikaab (C Wroe) Darren Biggs; 2. King Midas (E Charpy) Seb Sanders; 3. Fatal Sahra (D J Selvaratnam) Pat Smullen Dist: 1/2L, 2, 2 1/4. Time: 1:25.43

5. Al Rostamani Group Thoroughbreds Terms (9f):
1. Bathwick (N Robb) Billy Newnes; 2.Nassaab (K P McLaughlin) Willie Supple; 3. Aesops (P Brette) Willie Ryan Dist: 3L, 4. Time: 1:51.78

6. Dubai World Cup Thoroughbreds rated 0-90 (8f):
1. Persuasivo Fitz (D J Selvaratnam) Darragh O'Donohoe; 2. Kabalevsky (A Selvaratnam) Tony Whelan; 3. Petary (K P McLaughlin) Ted Durcan Dist: Sh Hd, 4. Time: 1:37.11

7. Dubai Racing Club Thoroughbreds rated 0-60 (12f):
1. Mazaarr (D J Selvaratnam) Pat Smullen; 2. Melaaff (S Seemar) Gaven Birrer; 3. Tawwag (D J Selvaratnam) Wayne Mason Dist: 6L, 3/4. Time: 2:32.24