 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Wathnan Racing is making waves on day four of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, kicking off their double with Haunted Dream in the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes. The victory is marking a significant milestone for Qatari trainer Hamad Al Jehani, securing his first winner at the prestigious meeting.
James Doyle, Wathnan's retained jockey, is piloting the 18/5 shot to a half-length victory over Cairo, with 6/4 favourite My Prospero finishing third on his return from a lengthy absence.
Al Jehani, currently based in Newmarket, is expressing his delight: "Haunted Dream always does a very good job. He is an honest horse and we were really confident that he would do his job. We deserved that for all the team, to be honest, after that disappointing day yesterday."
Doyle is praising the horse's toughness: "He had a whole season here last season, then he had a season in Qatar, then he's come back. He has been a busy boy but he seems to have thrived on it."
Wathnan Racing's colours are returning to the winner's enclosure just 35 minutes later as Artagnan is landing the Hawes & Curtis Nursery Handicap. The Karl Burke-trained Juvenile, sent off at 16/1, is making all under David Egan to score by a length and a half.
Burke is revealing post-race plans: "This has been the plan since Ascot. This is an important meeting for Wathnan, so this was the target. We'll see what the handicapper does as to where we go next."
Egan, stepping in for the ride, is impressed: "He came here in tremendous form carrying a low weight and won very nicely. We had a very smooth trip – the horse was comfortable on the ups and downs here at Goodwood."
Not to be outdone, John & Thady Gosden are securing their own double on the day as Assailant is capturing the concluding Coral Play Racing-Super-Series For Free Handicap. With Oisin Murphy in the saddle, the progressive three-year-old is adding to Lead Artist's earlier success for the Newmarket team.
John Gosden is hinting at future plans: "He is progressive and he has shown that today. We'll see what that cruel man called the handicapper does and after that we'll make our plans from there. I am perfectly happy we go up a notch up to a mile and a half, the jockey said that."
Murphy is equally optimistic: "Assailant is very well-bred, and the gelding helped. Hopefully, he is a horse who is going to get to a higher level, and I was very pleased with his homework."
As the Qatar Goodwood Festival enters its final stages, the success of Wathnan Racing and the Gosden stable is highlighting the competitive nature of this year's meeting. With rising stars like Haunted Dream, Artagnan, and Assailant making their mark, racing fans are eagerly anticipating what the final day might bring.