Mubtaker makes his 2006 debut
Marcus Tregoning’s stable stalwart Mubtaker returns to the fray once more as he makes his seasonal bow in the Dubai Tennis Championships Stakes at Newbury tomorrow.
The nine-year-old will be enjoying an earlier start to the season than usual and Tregoning is delighted with the condition of the son of Silver Hawk.
“He’s in great form and I’m very, very happy with him. He’s had a very good preparation, it’s all gone well and I’m very much looking forward to running him,” he said.
“It will be nice to get the old boy out and I’m sure he’ll run a very big race.”
Mubtaker is one of three runners for owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, with Dubai World Cup also-ran Maraahel and Munsef his other representatives.
First-string rider Richard Hills has chosen to partner Maraahel leaving Martin Dwyer to team up with Mubtaker for the first time.
“I think he ran some terrific races last season but obviously Maraahel looks Sheikh Hamdan’s first string as Richard Hills rides him but he is in good form,” Tregoning added.
Sergeant Cecil, who completed a unique treble of the Northumberland Plate, Ebor and Cesarewitch last year, makes his 2006 debut in the mile-and-a-half race, which is registered as the John Porter Stakes.
The 11-strong field is completed by John Oxx’s Irish raider Allexina, recent Nottingham winner Frank Sonata, Compton Bolter, Sri Diamond, Gulf, Swift Sailor and The Whistling Teal.
