Raqiya gets Oak Tree prize in stewards’ room

Raqiya got the verdict over Jabaara in the stewards’ room following a dramatic running of the Visit Qatar Oak Tree Stakes at .

Breege and Kathmandu had disputed the lead for the majority of the Group Three contest, with Roger Varian’s favourite Jabaara racing wide.

The 5-2 market leader showed a real turn of foot when asked by James Doyle, bursting to the front. But in doing so she did go to her right and towards the rail, meaning Jim Crowley had to check on the Owen Burrows-trained Raqiya.

Raqiya (7-1) finished strongly, but was a head down on Jabaara at the line. The stewards subsequently interviewed both riders and took the view that the result had been impacted.

 Burrows said: “Roger is one of my best mates and it is never nice to win one like that. Jim felt we would have won with a clear run, and watching it a few times on the big screen, we probably felt we would have been an unlucky loser, but that is the way it goes here sometimes. It was there for all to see. It would have been a bit gutting not to get it. 

“The most positive thing even if we didn’t get it is that we learned seven furlongs on fast ground is her bag. That was a big positive to take out of it.” 

Crowley said during the enquiry: “I’ve had to wait until the cutaway and my filly is picking up. We’ve got the rail to run against and we’ve got plenty of clear room to go. The horse in front has just shifted across her and I’ve had to switch. I think she’s lost a bit of momentum, I’ve had to check, then obviously she has stayed on again. I feel that, if that hadn't happened, she probably would have won. 

“I stopped for about three strides. There’s no question we have had to stop. Four strides, easily, and then you have lost your momentum. She’s made up a length and a half. With a clear run and, without losing her momentum, she would have won.” 

Doyle said: “There is no question, when I have let my filly go, she has looked for company and gone right-hand down until she has got to the rail. I felt at the time she has crossed onto the rail, Jim hasn’t had to check and come out. So I don’t feel that it has affected his momentum whatsoever. Jim has had to just ease off for a run but he hasn’t had to check, halt and then come out for a run. When I have actually passed him, I don’t feel like I am an any way in his space. 

“The way she kicked, I felt that she had kicked really clear and I still maintain that she has. I know Jim has said he has stopped riding - he’s trying to come out and I think his filly wants to lie in on the rail. She’s (Jabaara) kicked clear and I don’t feel that I am ever in his space – he’s just had to switch because he is finishing and he’s had to come out for a run. 

“I think my filly is the best filly because she has kicked clear, she has completely shut down from the minute she’s hit the front – she has wandered right up against that rail and completely stopped. She did feel the second coming and found at the line.” 

Varian said of Jabaara: “I have only seen the race once and I don’t want to comment on the interference or the stewards’ decision – they have had the luxury of watching it many more times and from more angles than we have and they have come to that decision and we have to congratulate the winner. It’s a shame. I think our filly was on top for most of the race, and maybe she just threw it away. I don’t know what else to say – she ran well.” 

Tom Palin of Middleham Park Racing, co-owners of Ziggy’s Dream, said: “‘Sometimes if you are third at 6-4, you are a bit disappointed, but at 50-1 you are absolutely delighted. She has a couple of races abroad – one in Cologne and one at Naas. We will kick on.”