Better-class races are on the agenda for well-bred youngsters Almahaab and Segue after they fought out the finish of a two-year-old race at Geelong.
Jockey Steven Arnold had his first success since returning from England when he got the David Hayes-trained Almahaab home by three-quarters of a length ahead of Segue in Tuesday’s GRC Function & Event Centre Maiden Plate (1200m).
The pair had the race to themselves up the straight while the Lloyd Williams-owned debutant Salter finished 2-1/4 lengths away third.
A son of Redoute’s Choice, Almahaab is the seventh foal from Nasmah and is a half-brother to former top race mare Rewaaya whose five wins included the 2006 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m).
Trained by Hayes, she was also placed in another four Group One races and earned more than $725,000 in prize money.
“I am sure he (Almahaab) is city class but he needs to get out over a bit of ground,” Hayes said.
“He will be entered for the Caulfield Guineas but I would be say it might come too quick for him, but we will see.
“We will race him through his classes and progress towards the better-class races, but he will better in the autumn in the good ones.”
Arnold arrived back in Australia last Thursday after being placed on Star Witness in England’s Group One sprints, the King’s Stand Stakes and Golden Jubilee.
He said Almahaab had to dig deep to overhaul Segue who led and fought on doggedly to the line.
“A strong headwind in the home straight made it quite hard work to pick up the leader but he is a horse who is going to get further and has a bit of potential,” Arnold said.
The Peter Snowden-trained Segue is a daughter of Ad Valorem and stakeswinning mare Antwerp and is a half-brother to former champion two-year-old and three-time Group One winner Viscount.
Paul Snowden said Segue, who like Almahaab was having her second race start, was gallant in defeat on Tuesday.
“They (Almahaab and Segue) will be the two you will be following out the race,” Snowden said.
“Segue is very immature so I might give her a break depending on how she does, but she is definitely city class.
“It was very good effort to do what she did today as she led and just travelled a bit too keen.”
AAP TURF
