MOOHAAJIM PRIMED FOR Vision.ae MIDDLE PARK STAKES AT NEWMARKET

Exciting two-year-old Moohaajim remains on course for the £150,000 Group One Vision.ae Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Dubai Future Champions Day, Saturday, October 13, after exercising this morning during a media visit to Marco Botti's Green Ridge Stables in Newmarket.

 

The son of Cape Cross produced an electric turn of foot under Adam Kirby when running out a comfortable length and three quarter winner of the Group Two Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes over six furlongs at Newbury on September 22.

He finished a never nearer fifth in the Group One Darley Prix Morny at Deauville in August after scoring decisively on his racecourse debut in a six-furlong maiden at Ascot in July.

Botti said: "We went to Newbury with confidence. It's always dangerous to say beforehand that 'we're going to win', but we were confident.

"Adam Kirby had sat on him and said, 'he's definitely one of the best two-year-olds I've ever ridden'. So we were positive, but at halfway I thought we were in trouble - I couldn't see a gap. He was boxed in, travelling well but I couldn't see how he was going to come out of there.

"So he had to just try and make a gap. Once he had daylight, he was always in control of the race.

"He came out of the race in very good order and we have been very happy with the horse. He had an easy piece of work at the weekend and went fine - so it's so far, so good.

"It would be frustrating and a big concern if the ground went too soft because he is a good mover. By Cape Cross, in theory, he should handle a little bit of cut but I wouldn't like to try him on soft ground yet.

"I think eventually he will get a mile. I wouldn't be concerned to step him up to seven furlongs this year but just because the Middle Park and Dewhurst are on the same day, it makes sense to stick at six.

"The way he settles in his races, I can't see why he wouldn't stay further. Physically, there's still some growing in him - so next year he will be stronger. I think he will be a miler."

Moohaajim is among 12 confirmations for the exciting six-furlong contest and is likely to clash again with Clive Cox's unbeaten Darley Prix Morny hero Reckless Abandon as well as Group Two Gimcrack Stakes scorer Blaine, trained by Kevin Ryan.

The unbeaten Group One Vincent O'Brien Stakes winner Dawn Approach, trained by Jim Bolger and owned by Godolphin, heads 15 confirmations for the £300,000 Group One Dubai Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs.

Ireland's champion trainer Aidan O'Brien has eight remaining entries headed by Cristoforo Columbo, while owner Prince Khalid Abdulla could be represented by Group Three Acomb Stakes winner Dundonnell and John Gosden's unbeaten Ashdan. The Richard Hannon-trained Havana Gold, winner of four of his six starts, is another to be considered.