Newbury: Alazeez had the perfect preparation for the forthcoming Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR) meeting when coming home a ready winner of the Debbie Burt — Equine Creative Media Progressive Conditions Stakes run at Newbury.
The four-year-old son of Madjani, ridden by Dane O’Neill, finished two and a half lengths clear of Lou Raynal, with Al Raha and Zayin Zodiac behind.
Both Alazeez and Lou Raynal had been Group 2 placed at the Berkshire track, but Alazeez showed he possessed the greater class for trainer James Owen and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
Owen said: “It was nice to bring Alazeez here today, it fitted into his programme quite well, being just over two weeks before the Za’abeel International Stakes. That would be his most likely target on Dubai Day, having won over six furlongs at Chelmsford. I just feel he would need cut in the ground here on Dubai Day to be seen at his best, as he appreciated it today.
“It’s great to get a turf win for him and a win here at Newbury, it hasn’t been my luckiest track, though I did have a winner here last year. He had a nice easy time there, they’re not bad horses that finished behind him, though it’s probably not best for him to lead, he was pricking his ears in front, but we just didn’t want it to be tactical and we wanted to learn a bit today. Dane has given us a few pointers that we can move forward with.”
Gemma Cobb, ARO Racing Operations Executive commented: “That was a great performance from Alazeez, hopefully he can progress from this to a win on Dubai International Arabian Races on July 30th. The race was framed to give opportunities for consistent young horses like Alazeez. Holding the race at the same track as DIAR, mirrors our previous DIAR Prep Races which were held here with the same 17-day margin, in 2015 and 2016.
“We are extremely grateful to Debbie Burt, as this is her sixth year of sponsorship with ARO. She has always made a point of sponsoring in a different grade and distance each season, in order to give as many of ARO’s participants the opportunity to win one of her bronzes. This consideration has been appreciated and is reflected in how well her races have been supported over the years.”
