Somoud proves mettle to clinch Dh2.5 million President’s Cup

Jean de Roualle provided a training masterclass to bring Somoud from three disappointing runs to win the President’s Cup for Purebred Arabians at Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Adrie de Vries settled the eight-year-old son of Munjiz in middle of the field before producing a well-timed run to clinch the Dh2.5million Group 1 prize for the second time in 12 months.

“He disappointed us in three starts this season and we were a bit puzzled because he worked well in the mornings,” De Roualle said.

“Perhaps, he got a bit lazy. Probably we were too nice to him. He ran disappointingly in the prep race. We took him back and had him on the track the very next day.

5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden+(PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Reem Baynounah, Fernando Jara+(jockey), Mohamed Daggash+(trainer)

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden+(PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Afham, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige+(PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ghallieah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout

6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige+(PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi

7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1+(PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle

7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed+(TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Haqeeqy, Dane O’Neill, John Hyde.

“When a horse has run not to his potential in three starts, he keeps us wondering. I put the blinkers on him again, and I was expecting a good run but I cannot say we were 100 per cent confident, even though I knew the horse was ready.”

De Vries rode Somoud in two of his last three starts and the Dutchman this time made smooth progress from the 500m mark and then led from 150m and held