Abu Dhabi: Muntazah, trained by Doug Watson for Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, clinched the high profile race for Thoroughbreds — the 1,400m His Highness The President Cup on Sunday. The owner has now claimed the prize for the fifth time in six years.
Originally settled just behind the early leaders, Muntazah always appeared to be travelling well and, once sent for home by Crowley about 300m out, never looked likely to be denied. The five-year-old was chased home by the same owner’s Eqtiraan, trained by Al Rashid Al Rayhi as was the third-placed Portamento.
“He is a really nice horse and one we have high hopes for. Unfortunately he had a bad draw in his race at the carnival and that proved too much of an obstacle for him,” Watson adding, “He has done this well and, hopefully, he is going to be an exciting horse for us next season.”
Earlier, Richard Mullen advertised just why he is the reigning UAE Champion Jockey when producing Rmmas fast and late to land the 1,400m Group 2 Liwa Oasis, one of the Purebred Arabian highlights on the card. Racing in midfield throughout the first half of the race, Rmmas made smooth progress at the top of the straight but still had plenty of his 14 rivals in front of him. However, once pulled wider, Rmmas who is trained by Jean de Roualle for Yas Horse Racing Management responded well to Mullen’s urgings producing a telling late dash to land the spoils.
“Fair play to the horse because drawn nine in a big competitive field like that is never ideal. He won nicely here over 1200m last time but that was from a nice low draw whereas today we were out wider,” said Mullen adding that it was the third win for the horse from just four UAE starts.
“Trip wise, he seems very versatile. I imagine that will be his last race of the campaign and, fingers crossed, he will be an exciting sort for next season.”
The 1400m Group 2 Arabian Triple Crown R2, restricted to four-year-olds, went to Goshawke, partnered by Fernando Jara for trainer Abdallah Al Hammadi and his main patron Al Ajban Stables. Another winner ridden patiently, in his case after a slow start, Goshawke was settled in about fourth, but not far off the lead before being asked to win his race about 300m from home and, once out in front, always appeared the likely victor.
