Masubi Gives Cintra and Olascoaga a Winning Start in the United Arab Emirates
The son of Too Darn Hot captured the Capital Speed Sprint over 1200 meters at Abu Dhabi, securing the first victory of the new season for the South American powerhouse stable. Premier jockey Silvestre de Sousa was in the saddle for the winning effort
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).— The new racing season in the United Arab Emirates is barely underway, and positive news has already arrived for South American turf. Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga, the Brazilian and Uruguayan duo who have represented the region for several campaigns from their barn based at Meydan, celebrated their first victory of the calendar on Thursday courtesy of Masubi (Too Darn Hot), who broke his maiden status at Abu Dhabi Racecourse.
The victory came in the seventh race of the card, the Capital Speed Sprint, contested over 1200 meters on the turf. The 4-year-old Irish-bred gelding lived up to his favoritism under Brazilian jockey Silvestre de Sousa, repelling French contender Aiglemont (Supremacy) by 2 lengths in a final time of 1m11s64/100.
Carrying the silks of Sky Racing—one of several outfits that have long trusted the South American training tandem—Masubi finally snapped a long winless streak, validating the promising form he had displayed in recent outings.
Bred by Godolphin, the son of Too Darn Hot and Moonsail (Monsun) began his career under trainer Bhupat Seemar, managing no better than a third-place finish on debut. His outlook improved upon transferring to Cintra and Olascoaga, steadily closing in on the winner's circle.
In April, he had signed off his previous campaign with a runner-up effort over 1400 meters, also at Abu Dhabi, following a season of mixed results. After several months of rest, he returned fresh to deliver that long-awaited first victory.
The South American stable also sent out Foraat Al Leith (No Nay Never) in the same event, who finished eighth, beaten 7 3/4 lengths under Daniel Tudhope.
The triumph of Masubi arrives at a particularly encouraging moment for Cintra and Olascoaga, who enter the new campaign with a consolidated structure and high expectations.
Just days ago, in an exclusive chat with Turf Diario, Olascoaga revealed that the barn was at full capacity with 40 horses under their care. While noting the absence of a clear standout superstar, he expressed firm confidence in the stable's depth to deliver a strong win total over the coming months.
Among the prominent new additions to the barn is the Argentine-bred Kopke (Hi Happy), while Satu (Catcher In the Rye), Natan (Señor Candy), and Nam Phrik (Hofburg)—representing Stud Las Monjitas—further fuel the stable's ambitions.
The previous campaign had proved particularly frustrating due to a high volume of runner-up finishes and several close losses by narrow margins. Nevertheless, confidence remained steadfast as the team pushed forward into the new term.
The road ahead will be demanding, especially as action intensifies at Meydan against some of the most powerful racing operations in the world. However, Cintra and Olascoaga know the circuit intimately and possess the expertise required to meet the challenge.
For now, Masubi has put the first winning chip on the table. It is no small feat for a team dedicated to turning morning labor into afternoon success, opening the new season with every reason for optimism.
