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Nashwa ready ahead of Dubai Turf assignment

Multiple Group 1 winner Nashwa is expected to give a good account on her first trip to Dubai this weekend.

NASHWA.
NASHWA. Picture: PA

The five-year old mare remains in training following another successful year on the track, including victory in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes and is expected to relish the nine furlong trip of the Dubai Turf on Saturday. 

"I've always said with horses staying on in training that there has to be several criteria met," said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Imad Alsagar.

"Obviously soundness is one, opportunity and the wish of the owner. From that point of view, she really ticked all those boxes, which was great. If you do that sort of thing, then you've got to target important races.

"It's always an enormous decision, one not to be made lightly. The importance of her for Imad as an owner-breeder – she's vital to the stud really in every way. It's not only her pedigree but her charm and ability, she's in fairly rare company as far as that's concerned."

Regarding Nashwa's campaign last yesr, he added: "She took a while to come to herself last year and I think at one stage we were questioning whether we had done the right thing but then she blossomed in the Falmouth Stakes.

"She ran an outstanding race in the Juddmonte between Mostahdaf and Paddington and was arguably a little bit unlucky when third in the Irish Champion.

"She had two pretty tough races against probably the best horses in Europe at the time. She seems to have come through the winter in very good shape, both physically and mentally, which is the most important thing.

"There are no gimmes at this level, anywhere. In these races, you expect the best to turn up for $5million.

"She's won Group Ones over a mile and a mile and a quarter, in theory nine furlongs ought to be her optimum trip as well. That was another plus side for her coming."


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