Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HAAZ SKILLS FOR FOUR-TIMER
Hayes charge to star in Hollywood
ALHAAZM, progressive over the winter months, might be capable of defying the handicapper again and complete a four-timer in the Hollywoodbets Support Irish Racing Handicap in Dundalk tomorrow.
The five-year-old Cape Cross gelding, a full-brother to 2016 Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Awtaad and a halfbrother to Irish 1,000 Guineas contender Mehnah, has been a revelation in recent months – completing a hattrick of wins on the polytrack seeing his mark shoot up 15lb – from 69 to 84.
Formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, he was gelded before having his first start for Kevin Prendergast but didn’t inspire confidence in his first three outings for his new yard, until he got his first taste of Dundalk’s polytrack last September.
And he duly obliged, landing a seven-furlong handicap off 69 before following-up over a mile in October, off a 4lb higher mark.
Off the track until last month, he returned to action and, once again, hit top gear up the straight before mastering Leadership Race – a rival he meets again tomorrow – by a length and three-quarters.
Alhaazm went up 8lb for that win, which will make life a good bit tougher this time. But he looks capable of further improvement and, although he is probably at his best over a mile, Chris Hayes might swoop late on him to complete the four-timer.
Top-weight Major Power, a five-time course and distance winner and up 6lb for his most recent success last month, might prove the biggest threat to Alhaazm.
Kevin Prendergast, Chris Hayes and Shadwell Estates also have obvious prospects with the once-raced Awtaad filly Shahaada in the finale, the Finishing Line Podcast Fillies Maiden.
Shahaada made her debut in the Loder Race at the Curragh last August and produced a performance full of promise in finishing second to Dermot Weld’s Shanda, with subsequent winner Talacre (runner-up to Group 1 winner Pretty Gorgeous on her debut) in third.
This six-furlong contest looks a good starting-point for Shahaada’s season. And she should have the measure of Kieran Cotter’s Ginsburg and the Jessica Harrington-trained Roses Blue.
A course and distance winner last November (off a 4lb lower mark), Jack Davison’s Mrs Bouquet might reverse last month’s form with top-weight Big Gossey in the opening five-furlong handicap.
The daughter of Toronado, suited by a strong pace, finished a length and three-quarters behind Charles O’brien’s tough gelding when they filled the placings behind Pulse Of Shanghai. With that run under her belt and 2lb better off, she can deliver for Ronan Whelan (inset).