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Khafoo Shememi lands opening honours at Newmarket

Richard Hannon (R) with owner Julie Wood
Image: Richard Hannon: Won the opener

A review of Saturday afternoon's meeting at Newmarket where Khafoo Shememi beat odds-on favourite Mazyoun in the opener.

Khafoo Shememi caused a minor surprise as he trumped odds-on favourite Mazyoun in the opening Eddie Stobart E Fulfilment EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes at Newmarket.

Newcomer Mazyoun was sent off the 1/2 market leader to claim the six-furlong heat for trainer Hugo Palmer and he looked set to justify that support as he made steady progress from the back of the field to hit the front approaching the closing stages.

However, Pat Dobbs was just getting to work on Khafoo Shememi and the Richard Hannon-trained runner just edged in front on the line, winning by a neck at odds of 8/1.

Dobbs said: "We've taken our time with him and mentally he's been a bit weak. But he'll get further and he's a horse for next year."

Bruce Raymond, racing manager for winning owner Saeed Suhail, added: "He's a nice horse and has always been good."

Tom Ward, assistant to Hannon, said: "He's a nice, big horse who has shown plenty at home. We brought him here for experience and the further he went, the better he got and he'll get a mile.

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"Obviously he's got plenty of ability. Not many of ours win first time and when they do win first time up, they're usually a bit better."

Rodaini dug deep to fend off the challenge of Clef in the Fly Easyjet From London Southend Airport Nursery Handicap.

Winner of a Leicester maiden and a novice event at Lingfield in his two starts to date, Rodaini was sent off the 10/11 favourite to extend his winning sequence to three in this seven-furlong heat.

Just three runners went to post and with Second Nature out of contention from a furlong out, it was a duel between Rodaini and Clef to the line, with Silvestre de Sousa eventually inching ahead on Rodaini to win by half a length.

Winning trainer Simon Crisford said: "He has some nice entries but there are no plans. Silvestre was very happy with him as he is still learning.

"He's been learning throughout his career and hopefully there is more to come.

"We'll keep to this trip at the moment. He knows how to sprint as he's been through a breeze-up sale."

De Sousa added: "Had they gone quicker, it would have suited better but he's done it well."

Kitaaby emerged the better of owner Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum's two runners in the Eddie Stobart Industrial Sector Handicap.

Sent off the 5/1 favourite, Kitaaby was seeking a hat-trick having won at Newbury and Leicester on his last two starts, but Shawaahid still sported the owner's first colours and gave the winner most to think about.

The pair had the race between them with less than a furlong to run and while Kitaaby hung a little bit in the hands of James Doyle, he still proved a length and a quarter too good for Shawaahid with Summer Chorus in third.

Winning trainer Brian Meehan said: "He is very progressive and had two quick races resulting in back-to-back wins.

"We gave him a little break and then we had a choice of races - either at Newbury last Tuesday or this one.

"I asked Shadwell if we could run here as it was more valuable."

Yorkidding drifted across the track in the Fly Stobart Air Handicap, but that proved no bar to success for the Mark Johnston-trained inmate.

Involved in a three-way finish with Real Dominion and Highland Castle, Yorkidding raced alone on the far side but found plenty for pressure to run out a one-and-a-quarter-length winner.

Real Dominion, the 5/2 favourite, was second with Highland Castle a further three lengths back in third.

Paddy Power cut the winner to 25/1 from 33s for the Betfred Cesarewitch at Newmarket on October 8 and Fanning believes Yorkidding will see out the two-mile-two-furlong trip in that event.

He said: "The best ground was up the middle and I decided to stay over there. She drifted left up the hill and will stay all day, so there's no reason she won't get the Cesarewitch trip."

Windfast made it a double for Meehan as he triumphed in the Listed Stobart Club And Shop Hopeful Stakes.

Partnered by Richard Kingscote, Windfast was allowed to go off at odds of 11/1 having failed to get his head in front since winning at Newbury in July 2015.

However, he made no mistakes here, with Kingscote pushing to the front in the last of the six furlongs, easily accounting for Baccarat before Buying Trouble tried to challenge.

Windsfast ran on to the line though, eventually winning by a neck with Baccarat a further length and three-quarters away in third.

Meehan said: "He's a lovely, brave old horse really. For a long time I was running him at the wrong trip, but he loved it there and travelled well today.

"He checked at the top of the hill a bit and I didn't tell Richard, who was riding him for the first time today, but when he gets to the front he can sometimes just say that's enough.

"He hasn't any nice entries as we take it every few weeks, but we might have to review that as he's done so well over six furlongs and on fast ground."

Rococoa signed off her racing career on a winning note as she edged out Mickey in the Fly From London Southend Airport Handicap.

Trained by Ed Walker and ridden by Luke Morris, Rococoa (4/1) was made to battle hard by Mickey, who went down by just a short head after a brave challenge.

Walker said: "That is literally the last day that she is allowed to race being in foal. She's a star - she's a very, very game and genuine filly.

"That's her second win and she's never been out of the first three. She's in foal to Bated Breath and is now retired."

Part-owner Elaine Chivers added: "I'll probably keep the foal for racing and send it to Ed."

Princess Tansy (9/1) claimed the closing Stobart Group Handicap for Gay Kelleway and 7lb claimer David Egan.

The winner came home a length and a quarter clear of Excellent George and Ziggy Lee, who dead-heated for second.

Egan said: "Ms Kelleway just said she normally jumps quickly so take it steady, getting some cover travelling into the race. I held her up and she quickened up nicely.

"That's my third winner for Ms Kelleway, who has been a great supporter of mine, and my sixth winner overall."

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