Asian Heights did his Epsom Derby prospects no harm when overcoming everything from a tardy start to his own inexperience in running before coming away in impressive fashion to land yesterday's Predominate Stakes at Goodwood.
The tardy start came when the Hernando colt laid back in the stalls and missed the break. However, jockey Kieren Fallon soon had his mount tucked in in fourth place behind early leader Snowstorm with Godolphin representative Wareed and Fair Question also in close attendance.
As the runners turned for home Frankie Dettori on Wareed led the charge for home building up a useful looking lead. Fallon was soon in pursuit and his Geoff Wragg-trained mount wore down the Saeed bin Suroor-trained runner before pulling up sharply after crossing the line with a length and three-quarters to spare.
Fallon, standing in for the suspended Darryll Holland, was impressed with the performance. "He's still learning, this is only his third run and when I asked him he stretched and lengthened all the way to the line."
Arhaaff is arguably the best non-winner in Britain and can prove the point in the Lupe Stakes at Goodwood today. Last year's running was won by subsequent Epsom Oaks scorer Love Divine and Arhaaff looks an ideal type for the fillies' Classic.
The attractive Arhaaff has always been held in high regard by trainer Mick Channon and that was confirmed when she ran a close second on her racecourse bow in a good contest at Newmarket. An enlarged joint and subsequent muscular problems prevented her from building on that promise last year.
After a pipe-opening second behind highly-regarded Victoria Cross at Newmarket she showed her trainer's efforts to nurse her back to fitness were worthwhile with a blinding effort in the Sagitta 1,000 Guineas. Despite her lack of experience Arhaaff never looked out of place against some of Europe's best three-year-old milers when finishing sixth.
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