HE dropped from a Listed race to a MR72 handicap, but three-year-old colt Karraar (AUS) was easy to support at 5-2 before winning most impressively over the straight mile at the Vaal on Thursday.

When Anthony Delpech pressed the button at the 400m-mark Karraar,  just off the pace, quickened away in a matter of strides and galloped on powerfully to win by 2.50-lengths.

“Karraar is very promising, if he maintains his improvement he’ll be a good Derby candidate next year,” enthused assistant trainer Mathew de Kock, who felt that the colt was rated low enough after this win to win “a handicap or two” before the three-year-old classics come along.

Karraar has a nice presence and he can gallop!

“Karraar was bumped up eight points for this win but at his new rating of 84 I think he can win again soon. The form of his Vaal win is good, to my mind. The third horse Glorious Victory recently beat the Dingaans winner,” added Mathew.

Home-bred by Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Stud, Karraar is another Hamdan runner with an interesting pedigree. He’s a son of Reaan (by Hussonet), who is in the Top 10 among third-season sires in Australia, from a mare by Flying Spur.

Reaan, who stands at Cornerstone Stud in South Australia, raced only eight times for three wins including the Gr1 Blue Diamond over 1200m, a prestigious event that also counts world renowned sire Redoute’s Choice among its previous winners.

While Reaan was a sprinter, his own dam Ribe (by Danehill) won the Gr2 Mooney Valley Oaks over 2040m. Also, the best runner from Reaan’s first crop is the gelding Lannister, who has won three times over 2000m and beyond.

With this promising mix of speed and stamina in his pedigree and his nice galloping action, the strong Karraar looks destined for the higher ranks.