HK MAR 2 - AKEED MAFEED ATTRACTS ATTENTION AS HE OPENS HIS ACCOUNT IN IMPRESSIVE FASHION

By Hong Kong Jockey Club | Saturday, March 2, 2013

Akeed Mofeed has attracted a weight of attention since arriving in Hong Kong at the start of the season and the Richard Gibson-trained colt opened his account in timely and impressive fashion today with the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) only two weeks away.

Jockey Douglas Whyte saluted the Dubawi four-year-old as he passed the winning post two and a half lengths clear of his field in the Class 2 Taipa Handicap over 1800m.

The colt had unleashed a decisive turn-of-foot to put the race beyond doubt and enhance his claims for the HK$16 million final leg of the Hong Kong Four-Year-Old Series on 17 March.

“The number one satisfaction with Akeed Mofeed is having him in Hong Kong because he’s going to be a fantastic recruit to Hong Kong racing and I think he’s a Group 1 standard horse,” said Gibson of last season’s G1 Irish Derby fourth, who was scoring at the third attempt in Hong Kong.

“Whether he’s going to be good enough we’ll see about the Derby. The more satisfying point is that he will win Group 1 races in Hong Kong, which is wonderful. I think he’s got a lot of talent, a lot of ability and class.

“Douglas rode a good race on him today and it was a very good prep race for two weeks time. I thought the horse had improved physically – I thought he looked better today in the paddock and I was really pleased by his attitude today. He was relaxed and settled well throughout the race and quickened well.

“I’m not certain that 2000m is going to be his best distance but I think he’s got the class to do it. Every time he runs we find out more about the horse.”

Akeed Mofeed scored in a smart time of 1m 47.45s with Kyara second and Wrath Of Fire a further neck third.