Tuesday 18 May 2010

Preview of The bluesquare.com Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday.


Rashaad and Waseet, two of owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's entries in the Investec Derby, put their Classic hopes on the line in the bluesquare.com Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday.

Rashaad, trained by Barry Hills, shaped well when third at Newmarket on his return after making a winning debut at Doncaster in October. The John Dunlop-trained Waseet, however, came last behind Chabal in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown, having finished second in the Royal Lodge Stakes in the autumn.

"Waseet looked a progressive horse last year. He had an injury after he last ran which took a fair bit of time to come right," said the owner's racing manager, Angus Gold.

"Then frankly he was disappointing at Sandown. He ran too keen and didn't get home for whatever reason. Mr Dunlop says he's fine, so we'll see how he goes.

"Rashaad won his only race nicely last year and he has always looked a nice horse in terms of ability.

"He ran a good race at Newmarket, everybody was happy with him. He's still in the Derby but whether he is going to scale those lofty heights is another matter, but he's a progressive horse and is an improving three-year-old.

"I'm sure he'll be a nice horse for us. We just have to work out at what level."