RB Rich Lyke Me wins feature; treble for Watson
DUBAI: Racing at Meydan on Thursday was highlighted by the only Purebred Arabian race, the Group 2 Bani Yas sponsored by Dubai Police, which opened the card and was won emphatically by RB Rich Lyke Me who proved in a totally different class to his eight rivals.
Making his local debut and first start for Fawzi Nass, who owns the 5yo entire in partnership with Victorious in whose red and white silks jockey Adrie de Vries enjoyed an armchair ride.
Soon in front, De Vries sat motionless throughout with his mount pulling clear as they progressed in splendid isolation up the home straight to post a most impressive success, the eighth of the horse’s career.
Previously raced in his native US, he was runnerup in Grade One company on his final start for previous connections in May and his American victories include four Grade Three wins.
The Thoroughbred highlight, a 1400m rated conditions stakes for 3yos, the Dubai Health Authority, was dominated by Doug Watson who saddled the 1-2, Sam Hitchcot and Faithful Soldier probably never headed, with stable companion Mnasek never able to land a blow but snatching second close home.
A son of Not This Time, he was making it two wins from four starts, adding this to a 1400m Jebel Ali victory on the middle of three starts last season and has been gelded since last seen in April.
Raced by Amanda Butler, he cost $230,000 at Ocala as a 2yo last July and has always been highly regarded by his trainer and Watson, completing a double on the evening, said: “We gelded him and he has thrived over the summer so we were hopeful coming here tonight and that was a very pleasing return to action.
“Hopefully he can build on this and Mnasek ran a nice race under a big race against the boys so we are very pleased with both.”
The Dubai Civil Defense, a 1200m juvenile maiden and first 2yo contest of the season here at Meydan, contested by seven debutants, went to Taking Names who showed no signs of inexperience, breaking sharply under Pat Dobbs and just one of two horses ever really involved with a realistic winning chance.
Dobbs was content to take a lead from Summer Is Tomorrow until leaving the home turn when he asked for an effort. His mount, a colt by Arrogate, responded enthusiastically and soon had the race in safekeeping.
Purchased for $150,000 at Ocala in June, he was saddled by Watson for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum.
The American later completed a treble, snaring the Dubai Ambulance, a 2000m handicap, with seasonal debutant Mulfit, partnered to a comfortable victory by George Buckell.
It was just a second career success for the 5yo gelded son of Exchange Rate whose previous visit to the winner’s enclosure was ater a 1600m success on the Meydan dirt track in a 3yo maiden in early November 2019. That was actually just his second appearance for Watson and he has only run five times since.
A delighted Buckell said: “The yard have always liked this horse and everything fell into place for him this evening.”
Bhupat Seemar saddled his first winner as master of Zabeel Stables with Kafoo producing a virtual carbon copy of Taking Names’ victory 30 minutes earlier, storming clear in the Dubai Municipality, a 1600m 3yo maiden, under a confident Tadhg O’shea. Setled just behind early leader Beijing Billy, O’shea went for home at the top of the straight and was never in danger, stable companion Al Maroom emerging from the pack to provide Seemar a 1-2.
A Curlin colt making his debut, he races in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and was purchased as a yearling at Keeneland in September 2019 for $250,000.