Al-Hatab made it back-to-back wins this afternoon at Lingfield Park when winning the £4,000 www.wathbastallions.com (0-55) handicap over a mile and five furlongs, ridden by Mohammed Tabti. The pair pulled clear to win by a decisive four lengths, from Aloof ridden by amateur Lewis Saunders, who finished six lengths ahead of Heritage Valentino and fellow amateur, Jamie Gambin.
This was also the second win on the five-year-old for Tabti who commented, “He jumped well from the stalls, we had a good lead. He was nice and settled, going really well and when I asked him to go, he picked up the bridle well, he had a really good turn of foot. I don’t think the step up in trip bothered him, he’s a really nice horse, with a very good mind.”
Trainer Peter Hammerlsey who also co-owns the horse in partnership with his breeder Julie Kelway commented, “We’re really pleased with Al-Hatab, we thought the step up in trip would suit him, he settles so well now. He’s like his brother, Al-Tabari, he’s got a lovely turn of foot. They’re very similar, the moment he learned to settle, it was the making of him. Mohammed gave him a lovely ride.”
Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival commented, “We congratulate Al-Hatab and all the winning connections of the race at Lingfield today. We are delighted that the race has been won by a small breeder, as this is one of the main aims of the Wathba Stallions series, to encourage the breeding of Arabian racehorses around the globe.”
Genny Haynes, Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) Chief Executive Officer said, “ARO is delighted for Julie and Pete on their success with Al-Hatab today, as well as another win for Mohammed. We are also pleased that the first three home are British breds who will earn their breeders cash reward as part of our breeders scheme this season.”
