Moohaajim slams Mill rivals

Adam Kirby completed a big-race double at Newbury when Moohaajim won the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes.

There had been noises about the form of Marco Botti's string but that didn't prevent punters from sending Moohaajim off as the 5-2 favourite in the six furlong Group Two contest.

The Cape Cross colt had caught the eye when fifth to Reckless Abandon in the Prix Morny on his previous start and again looked as though he could suffer some trouble in running.

Kirby appeared to be travelling strongly inside the final two furlongs but, with a wall of horses in front of him and Funk Soul Brother on his outside, Kirby took matters into his own hands in a move that looked certain to attract the attention of the stewards.

Moohaajim muscled Cougar Ridge out of the way to get into the clear and picked up in the style of a smart horse to score by a comfortable length and a quarter from a good yardstick in Master Of War and the Yarmouth maiden winner Taayel.

Kirby said: "He's special, as long as he keeps his head he is going to be a really top-class horse.

"We were going very slow and I didn't want to set him alight and get him racing early.

"When he got out he picked up real good and very fast. He's got a high cruising speed and can really pick up off that.

"He'll stay further and I'm chuffed with him."

Botti said: "He was a bit unlucky in France and we thought he deserved another chance in good company.

"Adam said it was straightforward, they didn't go quick but he showed a tremendous turn of foot.

"He's in the Dewhurst and the Middle Park, and the ground will be key as he wouldn't want it too heavy.

"I imagine he will stay over here to run in the top races next year and I think he should stay a little bit further."

Richard Hannon said of runner-up Master Of War: "I think the winner is pretty good as Richard (Hughes) said he thought he had got them all beat.

"But he has run well and he is a nice little horse."

Sky Bet reacted with a quote of 25-1 for the Qipco 2000 Guineas.