Classic hopes on the line at Newbury’s spring trials

Dubai: Shaikh Mohammad Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s quest for a first British Classic success can gain momentum at Newbury racecourse on Saturday when Moohaajim contests the Group 3 Greenham Stakes, a notable trial for the English 2000 Guineas.

The progressive son of Cape Cross is among a small, but quality field of five runners in the seven-furlong event, which is one of the highlights on day two of the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials meeting.

Trained by Marco Botti at Newmarket, England, Moohaajim will be making his first start since he was narrowly denied victory in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes last October, when he was beaten by only a neck by dual Group 1 winner Reckless Abandon.

The Italy-born handler, who trains out of the Green Ridge Stables located in the heart of Newmarket’s premier training facilities, thinks highly of his protégé, whom he believes has what it takes to give him a first Classic British Classic.

“If we’re lucky enough to win our first British Classic it’s likely that it will come courtesy of Moohaajim,” said the trainer earlier this year.

“As a two-year-old, he wasn’t far off the top of the pile as not only did he win the Mill Reef, but also his final run of the campaign was huge when second to Reckless Abandon in the Group 1 Middle Park.

“We’ve been very pleased with his progress through the early months of this year as he has grown a bit, but he was on the small side last year. He’s working well and the plan is to start off in the Greenham.

“I like the Greenham as a trial and I used it for Excelebration a couple of years ago,” added Botti. “This horse goes there with a stronger profile as he was a Group 2 winner last year and narrowly beaten at Group 1 level.

“There is no Frankel around this year, so I have to be a lot more hopeful.”

However, Moohaajim has his work cut out for him, with French 2000 Guineas hopeful Olympic Glory appearing the main threat.

Trained by Richard Hannon, who saddled Toronado to an impressive victory in the Craven Stakes (G3) at Newmarket on Thursday, Olympic Glory will bid to continue his winning form following the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) at Longchamp last season.

Explaining the decision to head for the French Classic as opposed to taking in the Guineas at Newmarket, stable jockey Richard Hughes said: “He did not enjoy coming downhill at Goodwood last year and only started to run on when the ground levelled out, so why would we risk him on those ridges in the dip when he can go back to France, where he has already won a Group One?” he said.

“The ground will definitely be softer at Newbury than it was at Newmarket earlier in the week, but that won’t worry Olympic Glory.

“When I look at him in the yard I think ‘he looks too fat’, but that is just him. He is a bull of a horse and he has been working real well,” he said.

Other runners in the Greenham include the David O’Meara-trained Hiddon Coin, John Dunlop’s Sir Patrick Moore and the Brian Meehan-trained Correspondent.

Saturday’s card features four races that are sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, including the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes and the Dubai Duty Free Stakes.

All races can be viewed live on the Dubai Racing Channel.