Mutawaajid switched back to five furlongs

SEPTEMBER, 2007: Mutawaajid gets his best opportunity to open up his winning account in England when contesting the Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy at Newbury early on Sunday morning Sydney time.

Run over five furlongs, the event witnesses the magnificent son of Redoute’s Choice tackle the imperial equivalent of 1000 metres for the first time in his career.

However, the Mick Channon team is confident that the colt will be well suited by the assignment, a race whch they have selected in preference to the Group 2 Diadem Stakes staged at Ascot later in the month.

Said a stable spokesperson: “The plan is to go with Mutawaajid in the five furlong Group 3 race at Newbury this weekend as the weights don’t favour us in The Diadem Stakes. 

‘The Group 3 race looks the easier option and we would like to win with him before having a look at possibly the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (Group 1), which is on Sunday 7th October.

“Mutawaajid is in very good form and a reproduction of his run last time should see him winning on Saturday.”

Since his arrival in England, Mutawaajid has had two previous outings at six furlongs (1200m) and one at seven furlongs (1400m).

His latest effort saw him chasing the early leader of the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup in second position before battling-on to a finish just out of the placings.

Saturday’s race sees Mutawaajid teamed-up with inform jockey Jimmy Fortune for the first time and taking on the 2006 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp winner Desert Lord.