Cosmo Charlie star of the show at Meydan
dubai — Racing at Meydan on Thursday was highlighted by a 1600m rated conditions event, where Ramzan Kadyrov’s Cosmo Charlie ran out an emphatic winner under Pat Dobbs, just as he had done in the equivalent race 12 months ago. Trained by Doug Watson, the 4-year-old gelded son of Stay Thirsty overcame a poor start to rush up from his low draw and lead from the rail from the 1200m onward. Though Connor Beasley and mount Radaini drew level at the top of the straight, the end was barely in doubt, as Dobbs soon settled the matter with a flick of the reins. Beasley’s mount weakening in the final 100m, losing second to Watson-trained Etijaah.
Victorious in the middle leg of the UAE Triple Crown, the 1900m Al Bastakiya (Listed), in 2017, Cosmo Charlie’s best 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival effort was when chasing home subsequent Godolphin Mile (G2) winner Heavy Metal in the Firebreak Stakes (Gr3) over the same 1600m. Well beaten on his seasonal debut, after suffering a rough trip over 1400m at Jebel Ali four weeks ago, he had clearly benefitted from that outing and proved too classy for his rivals. He will now head to the Listed Dubai Creek Mile over the same trip, while Etijaah will stretch back out to his customary 2000m trip in the Listed The Entisar—both on Dec. 20.
“The one draw was a big help, though he had to use up a lot of gas after that slow start,” Watson said. “I was then a bit worried he might not get home but he had that race at Jebel Ali which seems to have put him spot on. He is a very nice horse on his day and hopefully he can build on this and be competitive back at the Carnival.”
The meeting began with the first Purebred Arabian contest at Meydan this season, the 1400m Bani Yas sponsored by Gulf News (PA G2) and, despite being drawn widest of all in 14, ES Ajeeb powerfully took command from the start and held a large lead that finally began to dwindle in the
The one draw was a big help, though he had to use up a lot of gas after that slow start
Doug Watson
final 100m. Tough 5-year-old mare Mawahib, consistent as always, closed resolutely to finish second by the slimmest of margins, ultimately passing her rival one stride too late.
This Meydan victory was by far the biggest for trainer Ibrahim Aseel. A homebred by Sheikh Abdulla bin Majid Al Qassemi, ES Ajeeb is only a 4-year-old and an exciting prospect who now boasts a record of four wins from seven career tries.
“He is a horse we have always thought could win these races,” said a beaming Aseel. “This is a massive result for everybody involved and a very special occasion.”
Hitchcott added: “From that draw, we had to use a lot of petrol early on but that 1400m is probably as far as he wants.”