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 Friday, April 21, 2006

  NEWBURY, 5.25, Mdn, 8,000, 3yo, 11f 5ydsT, 2:21.33, gd

  Hala Bek (Ire), C, 3, by Halling

1st Dam: Place de l'Opera (GB) (SP-GB), by Sadler's Wells

2nd Dam: Madame Dubois (GB), by Legend of France

3rd Dam: Shadywood (GB), by Habitat

Michael Jarvis unleashed subsequent G1 Oaks winner Eswarah (GB) to win at this traditional meet last year and he might have another Epsom-bound incumbent after Hala Bek posted a commanding debut victory in this contest. It was no secret the trainer held this G1 Derby entry in high regard, and the bay's ante-post odds for racing's Blue Riband tumbled to as low as 16-1 following this success. Travelling sweetly under cover for much of the heat, the 6-5 favorite arrived at the two-furlong pole full of run. He was allowed his head approaching the final eighth and sealed victory in an instant, bursting clear before gearing down late to score by an impressive 1 1/4 lengths from Dragon Dancer (GB) (Sadler's Wells). "He was very backward last year and we didn't really do a lot with him," explained the winning trainer, adding, "He's a well-bred horse, has worked nicely this year and has got all the attributes of being quite a decent horse, I think. It's a long way from a maiden to the Derby, so we'll speak to the owner and [racing] manager to see where we go. He will probably run in one of the trials, which one it's too early to say yet." The winner, a half-brother to High Pitched (GB) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), GSW-GB, $126,177; and Imperial Stride (GB) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), MGSW-GB, $257,851, was a 130,000gns TATOCT yearling. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, 5,182.

O: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid al Maktoum | B: Cliveden Stud Ltd | T: Michael Jarvis