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January 1, 2022 - Meydan Racecourse, Race 5, Cond, AED Dhs183,650, 1400m, 85.9300
Shahama, F, 3, 2019 by Munnings
1st Dam: Private Feeling, by Belong to Me
2nd Dam: Regal Feeling, by Clever Trick
3rd Dam: Sharp Belle, by Native Charger
Owner: KHK Racing
Breeder: SF Bloodstock LLC (KY)
Trainer: Fawzi Nass
Shahama (Munnings), who bolted up by nine lengths on her 1400-metre debut at Meydan Dec. 9, endured a much more troubled passage in Saturday's UAE 1000 Guineas Trial, a conditions event over the same course and distance, but exhibited her considerable class in the final stages to score by 2 1/2 lengths en route to 'TDN Rising Star'-dom. She is the eighth 'Rising Star' for her sire.
Off slowly and ridden along from gate five racing over a rare sloppy main track in this jurisdiction, the $425,000 OBS April graduate (:21 flat) was forced to sit in behind the contested pace, but traveled well a handful of lengths behind. Shaken up with a bit more than a quarter-mile to travel, the half-sister to multiple champion Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike), Ch. 2yo & 3yo Colt, MGISW, $3,307,278, hit the gap hard one off the fence at the 300-metre marker and galloped home a much-the-best winner.
"Seven furlongs is the minimum for her, she's got a big stride," said winning rider Adrie de Vries. "I was never in trouble, I was following William Buick's horse, I was in a pocket, but she learned a lot today. Today she did it the hard way. I thought today when she hit the front, she was waiting. I was a bit afraid for the conditions, as the ground gets firm with the rain. A mile and even further will be better for her." Shahama, also a half-sister to Kensei (Mr. Greeley), MGSW, $751,364, is a logical candidate for the $150,000 Listed UAE 1000 Guineas over 1600 metres Jan. 28. SF Bloodstock acquired Shahama's dam-a foal of 1999-for $40,000 with this filly in utero at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale. Private Feeling did not produce a foal in 2020, but her now-yearling son of Catalina Cruiser fetched $200,000 from First Finds at last year's November Sale and she was most recently covered by Smart Strike's Grade I-winning son Tom's d'Etat.Never miss another story from the TDN
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