Exciting juvenile set for another run before Group One date.
Saeed bin Suroor is thinking carefully about the roadmap for his promising newcomer, Elwateen, as the filly lines up for the Bet365 Fillies' Mile on 11 October. She made a wonderful debut when winning at Kempton in August, and most people would look at this with optimism. However, Bin Suroor is going to feed in one more runner to see if she can fine-tune her here before stepping up in class, which underlines his care for her development process. After such a great winning debut, many racing fans have taken an interest in Elwateen. Bin Suroor had considered running her in the May Hill at Doncaster as a prep for the Fillies' Mile. No entry was made for that race though, and he merely worked her instead. "She worked on Tuesday. She worked nicely, and she's doing well since her first run," he said, summing up his hopes for her.
The trainer, rather restrained, showed he wanted to see the quality of ambition balanced with his horse's well-being. "I want to see another piece of work from her," he explained, showing that Bin Suroor wants Elwateen in the best possible form going into the track. This great amount of prudence is a portrait of his training philosophy: development over immediate success. If there's one man who knows the heat and the power of the reins of success, it has to be Bin Suroor. In addition, he trains fewer horses these days than when he was at his best, but a 26 percent strike rate this year speaks for itself. Well, good breaks, and not infrequently a winning double, arrive at Yarmouth, where two exciting hopes came to the fore—in the persons of Summer of Love and Midnight Thunder, both of which had a lot in their bags.
😮what a finish for a beginner !!!!🇬🇧 Unibet/British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes @kemptonparkrace @BritishEBF Kempton Park – Inédit – 2 ans – 1408m – 9 Pts
🏆Elwateen📖(Dubawi (Ire) @DarleyEurope – Tawkeel (Gb) par Teofilo (Ire))
🏇Kevin Stott🕶️S bin Suroor… pic.twitter.com/bCK4q2fdqm
— French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) August 14, 2024
Midnight Thunder is an improving colt who has been versatile in winning on both soft and quick ground. "First time he missed the break and got too far back, but he won well at Windsor on soft ground," said Bin Suroor, underlining the colt's versatility. He hoped his entry into the Listed race at York may lead to a highly stimulating campaign that could even see the horse make a trip to Dubai.
A poor run at Ascot made it look like she had run out of steam, but she staged a brilliant comeback to prove that she belonged over various distances. "Oisin (Murphy) said she'd have no problem over six furlongs, and he was right," quipped Bin Suroor, who trusts his jockeys to accurately assess their mounts' capabilities. He plans to take about 30 horses to Dubai, and this in itself is a true reflection of his continuous desire to pursue his ambitions even though his number in the yard might be low.
Looking back on his current operation, Bin Suroor readily admits to the changes over time. "We're not a big stable anymore; I've only got about 40 in training," he said, a hint of nostalgia creeping into his voice as he reminisced over the yesteryear. Yet, his passion for the sport seems endless, and for now, he is sifting through the horses he has as a potential champion.
That Fillies' Mile days are arriving soon brings increased excitement for Elwateen. The treatment she has been given by the close attention of the Bin Suroor stable testifies to his attention to his riders and horses, which portends well for the success he attains in developing talent in this sport that often enough pays off awaiting. Guided in the right way with a dash of luck, Elwateen could come through as a top-ranking contender for one of the rich prizes of the season.
Here's to Saeed bin Suroor and Elwateen on this great journey with much promise to live for. Soon to face a challenge, this duo exemplified the spirit of racing—a combination of ambition, skill, and the aura of the unknown. With each gallop, with each piece of work, they inch closer to their dreams, hoping to leave an indelible mark on the racing world.
