Al Muthana runs on late

Al Muthana came from midfield to win a MR104 Handicap over 1600m on the Vaal’s classic track on Tuesday – well-timed by S’Manga Khumalo, who had to ride him out to get up late, but they won a good race.

“He likes to race fresh,” noted Mike de Kock. “He seems to be very comfortable around a mile, this was a good win under a big weight. It won’t be his last win, he was one of those two-year-olds who got over-rated too quickly. He had to drop down in ratings to a level where he could find his confidence and build on that.

“He was 105 as a young horse, came down to 91 and has built again from there. He’s typical of horses we see week in and week out – with careers hampered by ratings that are way too high.. But we are pleased, well done to Shadwell.”

Al Muthana has won four of 10. He’s a four-year-old, home-bred by Deep Field (AUS) from a mare by Redoute’s Choice, and races for the estate of the late Sheikh Hamdan.