Raqeeq follows in tried footsteps
Go Racing’s second Eurpoean Import, Raqeeq, won a Rating 75, $40,000 mile at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, at just his second Australian start and looks an exciting staying prospect.
He follows a burgeoning tradition after Go Racing purchased Alward the previous year, who is now joint-favourite for the $2 Million Sydney Cup and has bankrolled close to $350,000 in less than a years racing.
Raqeeq came from well off the pace with replacement jockey Kerrin McEvoy on board to haul in the leader Sondelon, who was unbeaten before yesterdays race. The two had the finish to themselves as there was almost three lengths back to the 3rd horse. Raqeeq gave sign that he had adjusted to Australia well after a strong finishing 5th after being tailed off early in his debut run in Australia over 1400 metres, on the 14th of March.
“He won his maiden in France over 2400 metres and has raced up to 3000 metres, so to win over 1600 metres and show such a good turn of foot is very exciting for his future in Australia.” said Bosma, who purchased the horse from the Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale at Newmarket last October. “Guy Mulcaster does our selections up there and does a fantastic job, having chosen both imports for us. We have a formula we like to stick to and it is working for our owners.”
Where he races next is yet to be decided. “It can be a little difficult to map races out for progressive horses around The Championships time, as most Saturday races are Group races, so we will have to see. Chris will be looking at options for him in both Sydney and Melbourne over the next few weeks, with a step up to 2000 metres the logical choice.”
The Eurpoean horses tend to improve in their second preparation in Australia, so Raqeeq is well on his way to a very brght future under Chris Waller’s tutelage.