Classic-winning trainer Hugo Palmer is preparing an exciting trio for big races in Dubai and Qatar over the next few weeks, headed by Group 3 winner Mootasadir.
The 4yo only began his career in April 2018, but has already notched four wins from six starts and is set to tackle the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy at Meydan on February 28th, before a tilt at one of the big-money prizes on Dubai World Cup night.
Hugo Palmer said:
“We’re trying something new with him in Dubai – the plan is to see if he can stay. He has got better the further he went, starting off over a mile and then winning races over a mile and a quarter and then winning a Group 3 at Dundalk over 1m 3½f.
He’s going to go another 2½ f - for the Nad Al Sheba Trophy (1m 6f) – which is a recognised trial for the Dubai Gold Cup.”
As well as the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup, over 2 miles, Mootasadir also has an entry for the $6million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic on March 30th.
“Where we go from there - whether we kick on and go the full 2miles for the Dubai Gold Cup, or come back for the Dubai Sheema Classic - will be determined by his first run in Dubai.
He’s had a fantastic winter. He has a real shine to him, he’s kept his summer coat and he looks absolutely fantastic.”
All four of Mootasadir’s wins have come on the all-weather, but Palmer is unconcerned about reverting to turf in Dubai.
“He’s only run twice on turf – the first time was Derby day. He was very unfortunate that, in such a hot summer, there was an absolute deluge at Doncaster and he ended up running on very soft ground. The next time was quite the opposite at Newmarket, where he didn’t like the undulations on very firm ground.
The lovely thing about Dubai, is they water the track very heavily and the ground there is always good. It is a very level track, so we feel that is going to be his best chance to convert his excellent all-weather form to the turf.”
Palmer hopes this could be the springboard to an exciting year for the lightly-raced colt.
“He’s quite a big horse and he has really developed from 3 to 4. He was unraced at 2 and when he runs in Dubai it will only be the 10th month of his racing life, so I hope we have only scratched the surface with him and that he can progress.”
---
Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2l9x35T
Website: http://www.racingpost.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/RacingPost & http://twitter.com/RacingPostTV
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/racingpost
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2vq457o
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/racingpost
Tags: dubai hugo Mootasadir palmer
