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UAE champion trainer is excited to bring Isolate to challenge
Eight-time UAE champion trainer Doug Watson, a prominent figure in Middle-East racing for two decades, will debut in the world's richest race, Saturday's US$20m The Saudi Cup, with RRR Racing's Isolate (USA). Isolate has won his past two races, the Godolphin Mile and Al Maktoum Mile, dominantly.
"We didn’t have a horse that belonged in the big race until now and at the same time, there are lots of good Super Saturday races around the same time in Dubai, but this horse deserves a chance to compete against these horses," Watson said.
"It’s been the plan since he won the Godolphin Mile last March to give him a rest and then come back in the Maktoum Mile and then hopefully Saudi Arabia. We know he’s best at a one-turn mile [1600m] and think a one-turn nine furlongs [1800m] will suit him. We were disappointed we didn’t originally draw into the field, but I’m glad we eventually did and now we will take our chances in the big race."
Dubai's racing season has been less prolific for Watson, who clinched his eighth championship last year. The New York-born trainer has had fewer horses to work with due to retirements and reallocations. Despite this, his quality-over-quantity approach has led to notable wins like the Zabeel Mile with San Donato, Gr.1 Al Maktoum Challenge with Kabirkhan, Jebel Ali Sprint with Colour Up, and the Al Maktoum Mile. These victories, among just 14 since the season began in late October, have showcased Watson's ability to excel with limited resources.
"We have a nice group of horses at the top end and we have done our best with them," Watson explained. "San Donato doing what he did was a nice bonus and Kabirkhan being so talented and pointing him toward the [Dubai] World Cup has been really exciting.
"The good horses have been important because we no longer go in there thinking we are going to win two or three races a Carnival night, we focus on the best race for the best horse and it has gone well."
Isolate, guided by Oscar Chavez, completed a leisurely circuit of the King Abdulaziz dirt on Wednesday morning. Under Watson's guidance, Isolate has made only four starts, securing two second-place finishes and two victories. His previous 12 starts in the United States, at Red Stables, have been particularly successful..
"It’s a tough field and it’s the best he’s ever going to run against, but he seems to be getting better and better the longer he’s with me," Watson said. "He would have been a big contender in the Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday, but he deserves this opportunity.
"The couple of days he’s been in Saudi Arabia, he’s definitely seeing a lot of new things and is a little keen, but he’s also very ready to run, so that’s OK. At home, he’s very quiet and within himself and likes to train. The way he moves, the way he trains and his strength after the summer off… just everything - he’s a far better horse than when he was in America and a superior horse to when he won the Godolphin Mile."
All that said, Watson is ever the pragmatist, sprinkled with a healthy amount of optimism.
"We’re excited, expect a really nice run and we’re happy with the draw," he concluded. "He’s so well within himself. With a good break, realistically I’d like to finish top five and I know he’s good enough to do so."