Friday, Nov 22, 2013
Dubai: Emirati handler Ali Rashid Al Raihe’s big-race hopeful Haatheq confronted the challenge of creating an impression on his seasonal debut and pulled it off with flying colours when posting an assertive win in the feature race of the evening at Meydan on Thursday.
Jockey Dane O’Neill presented the six-year-old with the chance to stretch his legs to get his rhythm going when manoeuvring him to lead the seven-runner field at the 500m marker. Haatheq readily responded and drew clear to win by a length and three quarters from James Doyle’s Canwinn, with Busker only a neck behind in third.
O’Neill, who was partnering the winner for only the second time since he finished third to Barbecue Eddie in a Conditions event 12 months ago, remarked: “I did not want to be too hard on him as he has a long season ahead, so that was basically perfect. He will have needed that, so should improve and he will be campaigned between here and Jebel Ali, where he also goes particularly well.”
Al Raihe, who watched the race from the Meydan stand side rails, was impressed with what he saw and said that Haatheq ticked all the right boxes.
“He’s still carrying a little condition as it’s been eight months since his last run,” said the former champion trainer. “But he was moving well for the most part of the race. I wasn’t too worried that he was tiring a little towards the end as he still has to gain full fitness. We don’t want him to achieve full fitness at this point, as it’s a long season.”
Mapping out the schedule for his Grandstand Stables flag bearer, Al Raihe said: “Haatheq’s next race will probably be a Conditions event at Jebel Ali and then the Jebel Ali Mile Prep [ on December 27], which we hope will prepare him for the Mile.
“After that we’ll bring him back to Meydan for the Carnival, where the Firebreak Stakes (G3, Feb 13) and Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (March 8) will be his principal targets and, all going well, it will be the Godolphin Mile [G2, March 29].”
Haatheq was completing a hat-trick for Al Raihe following wins by Bravo Ragazzo in the 1900m Dubal Trophy and by Mundahesh in the 1400m Dubal Casthouse Trophy.
Al Raihe’s apprentice rider Saeed Al Mazroui was also in the spotlight partnering the Abdullah Bin Huzaim-trained Tamarrud to an exciting victory over Prince Shaun, the mount of Sam Hitchcott, in the 1600m Dubal High Purity Ingot Trophy.
The Emirati, who often exceeds his 3k claim, was thrilled to notch a fourth winner of the season, and first at Meydan, and said: “I’m happy with the start I have made, winning at all the racecourses in the UAE. Hopefully I can continue and lessen my claim.”
Meanwhile Wayne Smith put his seal on an enjoyable night’s racing when he executed a daredevil ride aboard Innocuous to win the 1900m Dubal Billet Trophy.
The Irish rider took his tally for the season to nine wins when he delivered his mount at high speed through a narrow gap in the field to edge the fast-finishing Spin Cycle, ridden by Richard Mullen and Adrie De Vries’s Sand Stamp in a thrilling three-horse finish.
“A lot went wrong, both at the start and again in the back straight but he is a good horse and one who likes a battle. Once we were clear, I was always going to get up,” said the jockey.
By Leslie Wilson Jr?Racing & Special ?Features Writer
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
