An HQ Winner from Motawaafeq
Sat 19 Jun 2021
WINNER 39 OF 2021: MOTAWAAFEQ, trained by Mick Appleby and ridden by Frederick Larson (-5): 'The Tesco Newmarket Every Little Helps Apprentice Handicap' over 1m on The July Course, at Newmarket.
Lovely to be back at HQ The July Course, where summer race meetings are enjoyed, amongst the splendour of the thatch and colourful hanging baskets on display at the Newmarket track.
Although, for the first meeting of the season there last evening, the damp weather decided to take over and the going moved from good to firm, to good to soft. Motawaafeq lined up in the first race on the card after having had a month off, in the hands of Frederick Larson.
Without his usual hood this time, he broke well and took a keen hold, although Frederick managed to slot him in behind the leaders. Moving on to lead from 2f out, he showed grit to stick to the task and sustain his efforts with a reminder to do so, he was pushed out and kept on well to win by a length.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/335776-tesco-newmarket-every-little-helps-apprentice-handicap-5
In his post race interview on Racing TV, Frederick, whose 7th winner this was, said: "He didn't settle early, but he has plenty of pace and travelled well. We got to the front sooner than I wanted, but he plugged on under hands and heels and he has done it well. It is great to ride for these owners and to do it at Newmarket is great for me."
Timeform rewarded him with an 80 rating for the race and say: "Without the hood, confirmed promise of last run, deserving credit given the hold he took early; mid-field, took strong hold, headway to lead over 2f out, stayed on."
Syndicate manager Tim says: "Well done to his owners on a thrilling victory and thank you to Mick for keeping Motawaafeq running so well. He has been in the winner's enclosure on no less than 15 occasions since we bought him at the HIT sales and is giving his syndicate some great days out. There's nothing quite like a winner at Newmarket; it really is the pinnacle to be drinking winners champagne at the home of horse racing and for it to be the first race of the season on the July course is extra special. We are grateful for Frederick's great interview and we must give a shout out to jockey Alistair Rawlinson who has won three times on Motawaafeq and who is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, having suffered multiple serious injuries in a nasty incident at Windsor this month. We send him our very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery."