Hag Tag Update 14/02/2025

Flat Season Nears as Haggas Team Gears Up for International Campaigns

With the current spell of damp, cold weather, it’s hard to picture that the Flat season is just over six weeks away.

The William Haggas team is already in full preparation mode, and this Saturday at 11:30 AM (UK time), their 106-rated three-year-old Yaroogh heads to post in the Al Rayyan Mile over a mile on the turf in Doha.

Tom Marquand makes the trip to the Middle East to take the ride on this ultra-tough colt, who goes with a strong chance. He has an excellent draw in stall 2, though the main concern is the proven international form of Charlie Appleby’s Al Qadra, drawn in stall 4. Al Qadra is already acclimatised to conditions and the track, which typically rides good to firm.

Currently, the going is forecast as good, which should boost Yaroogh’s chances. However, with no rain expected, conditions are likely to firm up by post time.

Yaroogh: A Profitable Horse with Unfinished Business

Yaroogh was a real money-spinner for me last season. I backed him at 7/1 when he won a 7f nursery at Doncaster and then again when he landed a Listed race in the mud in France.

However, there was a frustrating moment. I had a solid bet on him in the Group 3 Horris Hill at Newbury on heavy ground, and I still don’t know how he didn’t win. He cruised into the lead two furlongs out, looking home and hosed, only to be mugged on the line by Make Me Smile.

His only below-par performance came on fast ground at York, although that was behind the Derby favourite, The Lion in Winter.

Haggas’ Overseas Runners on the Move

Haggas has an outstanding record when sending runners abroad, and next month, the stable will send four horses to Australia:

• Dubai Honour, who will target the same races he won on his last visit.
• Desert Song and Al Mubhir, who will also join him.
• Marama, who has been sold and will continue his career down under.

I’ll be keeping an eye on Dubai Honour, who is likely to be a bet for me if he lines up as expected.

Economics Targets Royal Ascot

Stable star Economics is being prepared for a Group 1 campaign, sticking to 10-furlong trips. His first likely appearance won’t come until the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Upcoming UK Runner – Power Fizz

Looking ahead to next week, Power Fizz, who won comfortably at Newcastle last time out (albeit at odds-on), is entered at Wolverhampton on Tuesday.

His rating of 79 looks a little steep, a concern reflected by the booking of 3lb claimer Harry Burns. However, once Sunday’s declarations are confirmed, I’ll assess the race properly and provide an update.

At present, he is the only Haggas-trained runner entered for next week.