Watson looks to add more winners at Meydan
dubai — Doug Watson, who kickstarted his defence of the champion trainer’s title last week with four of the seven winners at the Meydan Racecourse, will look to add two more winners on Thursday.
His go-to rider Dobbs chose Lytham St Annes over the UAE newcomer Lovell, the mount of Sam Hitchcott on the evening that will be highlighted by a series of competitive handicaps, as well as a possible preview of the stars of tomorrow in the form of the Longines Ladies Master Collection, a 1600m maiden for 2-year-olds that opens the seven-race card.
“Lovell, a new horse for new owners, has been working very well on dirt, so we hope he can transfer that to the racecourse,” Watson said. “Lytham St Annes has plenty in his favour and was a good third behind our Thegreatcollection on his first start last season, so we know he goes well fresh.”
Syndication is growing in the UAE and the exciting fledgling ownership Phoenix Ladies Syndicate will be defending a perfect 1-for-1 record when its Superior faces five rivals. Phoenix Ladies’ first runner, Walking Thunder, won a similar race over 1400m last week. A son of Majesticperfection, Superior is a half-brother to four winners and boasts the same partnership of trainer Ahmad bin Harmash and jockey Connor Beasley.
“We could not have hoped for a better start as owners and it was all very exciting, but we were pretty confident as our trainer said (Walking Thunder) was working well,” said Phoenix Ladies principal Pamela
Lovell, a new horse for new owners, has been working very well on dirt, so we hope he can transfer that to the racecourse
Doug Watson
Cordina “He is similarly bullish about Superior, so fingers crossed (that) lightning can strike twice.”
Among the opposition is Luxor Temple, who is trained by Al Rayhi for the closely associated Phoenix Thoroughbreds. The mount of Fernando Jara and son of Cairo Prince was well beaten behind the aforementioned Walking Thunder last week.
Unraced Lahmoom, trained by Sandeep Jadhav for Alqemmah Racing Team, brings a sharp pedigree, being a son of late sire Exchange Rate out of multiple stakeswinning sprinter Mykindasaint. Xavier Ziani rides from the three post. Jadhav also starts Majed Ali Almarzooqui’s distance-bred Emdad, a $100,000 Ocala sale purchase and son of Kentucky Derby winner Orb from a deep Claiborne Farm female family. Royston Ffrench rides (barrier two).
For the Russian Racing Syndicate, trainer Watson saddles Martial Art, a juvenile colt by Jimmy Creed who sold at Keeneland last year for $120,000. He is the first foal produced by Mag’s Holiday, an unraced Harlan’s Holiday mare. Pat Dobbs rides, but must do so from the disadvantageous rail barrier. KT FILE