Muarrab can spoil Reynaldothewizard’s Dubawi party
Ed Marnane
– Former Golden Shaheen winner Muarrab, winner of the Garhoud Sprint on his seasonal debut last month at Meydan, can spoil the veteran Reynaldothewizard’s bid for a fourth successive victory in the $175,000 Dubawi Stakes, now upgraded to a Group 3 and the highlight of the second night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan tonight.
The remarkable and admirable Reynaldothewizard, trained by Satish Seemar, returns to defend
Dubai
his title at the grand old age of 12. Winner of the 2013 Golden Shaheen, he will need to put up a bold show to deny Muarrab without the benefit of a race, having been off the track since finishing eighth behind Mind Your Biscuits on Dubai World Cup Night in March last year.
Muarrab, to be ridden by Jim Crowley, didn’t really fire last season and failed to score in six appearances, leaving the impression he wasn’t the force of old and regressing. He rolled back the years with a stunning comeback though, defeating the re-opposing pair of Comicas and My Catch in good style and recording a fast time. He could well be back to his brilliant best.
Trainer Doug Watson’s exciting filly Rayya will be popular in Race 1, the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial. A USA-bred daughter of Tiz Wonderful and an expensive recruit from the OBS breezeup sale in Florida last April, she produced an eye-catching performance on her racecourse debut at Meydan six weeks ago, quickening impressively to lead off the home turn to win going away by nearly 10 lengths. She can provide Watson with his second victory in the $100 000 event and emulate Polar River who took the prize for the American handler en-route to completing the UAE 1000 Guineas and Oaks double two years ago.Godolphin, who have an excellent record in the race, mount a three-pronged challenge as they look to maintain their bright start to this year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival. Saeed bin Suroor and Irish rider Oisin Murphy teamed up to win last week’s Singspiel Stakes with Benbatl and the pair have sound claims of securing another valuable prize with Caring Touch.