Doug Watson looks to extend strong start to season
This seems like a good time to be a Doug Watson follower. The former UAE champion trainer has his string in rude health, and at a preferred venue like Meydan Racecourse, he will be hoping to keep the good run going.
The American saddles several interesting runners with Faulkner and Etijaah appearing to hold the strongest claims.
A lightly-raced unbeaten five-year-old, Faulkner makes his much awaited seasonal appearance in a high-quality, six-runner handicap which is the undisputed highlight of the Longines-sponsored meeting.
The ex-Godolphin trained horse is joined by stable companions One Man Band and Ostaad, both winners on their previous outings, along with Satish Seemar’s Cross Grain, also a winner this season, and the Ali Rashid Al Raihe duo of Ehtedaam and Lanark.
Watson’s stable jockey Pat Dobbs switches allegiance from One Man Band to Faulkner, who has notched two of his three career wins on the dirt at Meydan, the last of which was when he had the beating of subsequent Godolphin Mile (G2) victor Tamarkuz at the Dubai World Cup Carnival in January.
Race fitness
It will be interesting to see just how much race fitness he retains as he needs to surmount a 329-day timeout which is a strong ask for any contestant.
“Obviously Ostaad and One Man Band have race fitness on their side,” said Watson, who has sent out 12 winners this season. “Both seem in good form since their latest victories.
“Faulkner is a horse we always wanted to try over 1600m and, then perhaps, even further. He is going nicely and ready for a race but with the Carnival in mind further down the line.
“He is a horse we have always really liked.”
Sam Hitchcott rides One Man Band, thrice a course and distance winner, including when he recorded a fivelength victory at Meydan two weeks ago. Chris Hayes, who has made quite a favourable impression in his first season in the UAE, picks up the ride on Ostaad, a winner at the track in January this year.
Cross Grain, a winner over course and distance, looks the main danger to the Watson trio.
The meeting opens with the Mazrat Al Ruwayah Prep for Purebred Arabians.
The nine-runner field is headed by Bigg N Rich, winner of the race last year, who also won the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round One at Meydan.
Tadhg O’Shea takes the ride and said: “He is as fit as we can get him at home. He looks the class act in the race and has his optimum conditions so we have to be very hopeful.”