Hard-Working Muhaarar Up in Time in July Cup
Description:
Sheikh Hamdan's Muhaarar pinned pacesetter Tropics in the closing stride and won the Darley July Cup (Eng-I) by the slimmest of margins July 11 at Newmarket.
As Tropics cleared the field at the furlong marker, Paul Hanagan sparked a strong rally from Muhaarar, who wore down that 7-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Speightstown with not an inch to spare at the finish line, winning by a nose.
"It was a bit too close for comfort, to be honest," Hanagan told England's Press Association. "I felt for him because he didn't really handle the track and especially the dip (heading toward the final furlong)."
Muhaarar, a 3-year-old Oasis Dream colt out of Tahrir, by Linamix, notched his second consecutive victory, but the hard-working manner in Saturday's win was in stark contrast to his easy triumph in the Commonwealth Cup (Eng-I) June 19 at Royal Ascot when he had his closest pursuers—Limato and Anthem Alexander—more than three lengths behind him.
In the July Cup, Muhaarar pursued early leaders Tropics, Astaire, and the Australian group I winner Brazen Beau and was urged into contention over a quarter mile out. Although Tropics looked to have victory in the bag at the furlong marker, Muhaarar lengthened stride and wore him down to get the win.
Eastern Impact was 1 1/2 lengths back in third in the 14-horse field.
British-bred Muhaarar covered the six furlongs in 1:09.34 on firm turf. He improved his career line to 5-0-3 from nine career starts for trainer Charlie Hills.