Bosphorus Cup For Maftool
Maftool tackles 12 furlongs for the first time in the Group Two International Bosphorus Cup on turf at Veliefendi, Turkey, on Sunday, September 6.
Time/Date - 16.00hrs local time/Sunday, September 6, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Veliefendi/Turkey
Surface/Distance - Turf/1m 4f
Maftool tackles 12 furlongs for the first time in the Group Two International Bosphorus Cup on turf at Veliefendi, Turkey, on Sunday, September 6.
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained three-year-old colt came home third in a mile Polytrack conditions race at Chelmsford City, UK, on August 17 and was sixth in the 10-furlong Group Three Tercentenary Stakes on turf at Royal Ascot, UK, on June 18.
Earlier in 2015, he posted some good efforts, most notably when successful in the Group Three UAE 2000 Guineas Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors over a mile on dirt at Meydan, Dubai, on February 12.
The son of Hard Spun was also runner-up in the Group Two UAE Derby Sponsored by the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group over an extended nine furlongs on dirt at Meydan, Dubai, on March 28.
Maftool gained a Group Three win last year, taking the seven-furlong Group Three Somerville Tattersall Stakes on turf at Newmarket, UK, in September.
Saeed bin Suroor said: "Maftool has been disappointing lately and it may be the case he is more of a dirt horse, as he showed better form on that surface at Meydan earlier in the year.
"I think on his best form he would have a chance in this race. He is in good form and working well, so we will see how he gets on."
Maftool, partnered by Dane O'Neill for the third time, has eight opponents in the International Bosphorus Cup, headed Listed scorer Connecticut and the multiple Group-placed performer Windshear.
Lost in the Moment won the International Bosphorus Cup for Godolphin in 2013.
Maftool © Feroz Khan
