Bin Surour aims for winning start to British season

posted on 14/04/2011: 54 views

Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Surour takes his first step towards what he hopes will lead to a fifth British Trainers' Championship when he saddles his first runner of the new season at Newmarket today.

The Emirati handler, who has won the prestigious title on four occasions since 1996, is represented by Janood in the £250,000 (Dh1.493 million) Tattersalls Millions 3YO Trophy run over a challenging 2,000 metres.

The Medician colt switches back to turf after his fourth-place effort to Zanzamar in UAE 2000 Guineas Trial on the All-Weather at Meydan Racecourse in January.

A graduate of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale last year Janood demonstrated his big race potential when recording an easy 1 1/4length victory in the Listed Matalan Stakes (registered as the Washington Singer Stakes) at Newbury in August.

Among his main rivals are Aidan O'Brien's filly Together, who was fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs in November, and Richard Hannon's much-campaigned Measuring Time. Meanwhile, three horses with Dubai connections will contest the Group 3 Craven Stakes, a recognised trial for the first Classic of the British season, the 2000 Guineas on April 30.

The Marcus Tregoning-trained Yaseer represents Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, while Clive Brittain trains Yahafedh Alaih for UAE businessman Mohammad Al Shafar.

Ahlaain, trained by David Simcock and owned by Sultan Ali, completes the trio.

A notable runner in the race is the Ed Dunlop-trained Native Khan, who was a spirited winner of the Solario Stakes at Sandown before running fourth in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on his final start as a juvenile.

Dunlop said on his website: "He is such a good mover and he could not operate on the soft ground in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last year, but he has done really well through the winter and we are very happy with him." Reigning champion trainer Richard Hannon saddles Casual Glimpse and Libranno. – Gulf News

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