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| Staff Writer |
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Six-time champion trainer Doug Watson heads into Dubai World Cup night with quiet confidence as he prepares a formidable quartet of contenders across the prestigious card. The Red Stables handler, long established as one of the UAE's premier trainers, will saddle Colour Up, Oasis Boy, Rafid and First Class in what could be a defining night for his yard.
"They're all glowing and thriving. With decent draws on World Cup night, I back them all with a bit of a chance," says Watson, whose meticulous preparation has his runners peaking at just the right time.
Leading Watson's charge is perhaps his most intriguing contender, Colour Up. The 7YO gelding returns to the Golden Shaheen looking to avenge last year's disappointment. Owned by Cisco’s top man in the Gulf - Sayed Hashish, the sprinter has been in scintillating form this season, capturing the Listed Garhoud Sprint at Meydan in December before following up in the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint in February.
"He didn't have the best World Cup night last year. He was drawn wide and went fast and stopped," Watson explains. "But I think he's a bit better horse this year."
The trainer has been careful not to overcook his charge, with a strategically planned campaign leading to the big night: "The first three races we planned out, and then we went up the hill, which didn’t work so well. Now he's got five weeks in between races, and we are able to bring him back to Meydan the way we want to, fresh."
Watson notes an interesting quirk in his sprinter's temperament: "He likes Meydan. He's really placid there."
While respectful of the opposition, including rival Tuz, Watson is quietly confident: "We're hoping for a nice placing, and if he shocked the world and won, that would be great. He's been pretty consistent all year."
"It's a tough race, but he's in good shape. I'm looking forward to seeing him run."
Watson’s Argentinian Group Two winner is headed for a start in the US$1 million Godolphin Mile. Oasis Boy has been a revelation since joining Watson's yard, making an immediate impact with a winning debut at Meydan in December 2024 for owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.
"He was game for his first run, got hit across the nose by the wire and fought it out," Watson recalls. "Then we ran him back in three weeks, and he was 8 out of 12. He probably bounced a little off of a long layoff."
Despite an unfavourable draw of 16 in his subsequent start, Watson was happy with his fifth-place finish. The 4YO son of Asiatic Boy finished runner-up behind Fort Payne in the Burj Nahaar, making Watson believe that the chestnut colt is ready to make his mark on the global stage.
"He's been thriving throughout the year. He's done well this year, body-wise and coat-wise, and his overall attitude is his," Watson enthuses. "It's (the Godolphin Mile) good for local horses—we've won three. It’s a good race for the local trainers. Always has been. With a nice draw on World Cup night, I think we've got a bit of a chance, to be honest with you."
Watson is particularly pleased with the colt's mental fortitude: "He's a good racehorse that I don't think will be too daunted on the night, despite the people in the paddock and stands. He's very fresh at home, but he takes everything at Meydan well. I'm very much looking forward to him."
Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi's RRR Racing-owned Rafid will be stepping up in the US$2.5 million UAE Derby. The progressive colt, out of Watson's former UAE Oaks winner and UAE Derby runner-up Rayya, proved his credentials with a convincing victory at Jebel Ali in the US$54,000 Al Wasl Classic.
"He's a neat horse. He's out of Rayya, with whom we won the Oaks and was second to Mendelssohn in the Derby," Watson says with evident affection. "He should stay the trip."
Watson acknowledges that his charge faced some challenges in preparation: "He got here late. He and Cats by Five. I wish we had a little more time with them throughout the year. Then, we had to adjust the distance. It was his first time going 1900, and it didn't work out."
While acknowledging the task, particularly against Brad Cox's Gotham Stakes winner (Flood Zone), Watson is optimistic about his charge's prospects: "I don't think it'll be a big field, and hopefully he gets a nice draw where he can slot in. The horse from Brad Cox’s stable will be tough to beat.”
"He's only going to improve next series, and he's going to be a tough little horse. I don't think the trip should be a problem. It's great for Sheikh Rashid. He's been a huge supporter of ours, and I'm glad we got one in on the night for him."
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Completing Watson's World Cup night quartet is First Class, a recent winner of the Gr.1 Abu Dhabi Gold Cup in February, who appears to have rediscovered his brilliant best after a period in the wilderness.
The American-bred star, representing Cre Run Farm, has already amassed over US$3 million in career earnings, and Watson believes there could be more to come.
"He was never quite right last year when we had him," Watson reveals, "but this year, he had a nice summer off in the UK on the farm. He got to be a horse for a few months before returning to training."
The transformation has been remarkable, with Watson noting: "His coat was a little long when we got him, but he was in good shape otherwise. He's been happy all the way through."
With a preparatory run scheduled for this Saturday, Watson is cautiously optimistic: "He's in great form, and hopefully, he can put up another effort like he did the last time, which I imagine we will do. He's a brilliant horse."
Looking beyond World Cup night, Watson is already planning for the future, with potential visits to sales in Newmarket and Maryland on the horizon.
"I'm thinking I might go over for the Craven meeting, the 2YO training sale, just to have a look," he reveals. "I love the Maryland sales. So, if some people have orders and want to get some, we'll probably go to Maryland."
The need for fresh blood has been heightened by the recent retirement of several stable stars, including EverFast, Al Tariq and Thegreatcollection. "The nice thing was they all retired sound, and they're just trying to find good homes now," Watson adds.
One exciting prospect already secured for next season is Cats by Five, a US$400,000 purchase from last year's Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale. The Audible colt had a delayed arrival to the UAE following a mishap during transit: "When he was in Chicago getting on the aeroplane, he got in an argument with the horse next to him and cut himself up. They had to go from Chicago back down to Florida another six weeks before he got on another flight to get over here."
"The way he ran his two races, I wish we had him on the World Cup," Watson admits. "He's a very sound horse. He'll have a summer off at the farm in Ajman, and hopefully, we get him back early and can pick up a win early to get him started on the right track next year," Watson says of the imposing 4YO, who tips the scales at an extraordinary 602 kilograms.
Watson speaks highly of the facilities at the Ajman farm where his horses spend their summers: "They do an amazing job taking care of him over the summer. They come back in excellent shape. The coats are good, and they do a nice job out there. They have a nice summer off, some paddocks and treadmills and water tread, water walkers, and got all the gear out there."
As the World Cup night approaches, Watson's measured confidence speaks volumes about his quartet's chances. While realistic about the global competition they face, the Red Stables handler has prepared his fantastic four meticulously for racing's richest night – and it would take a brave observer to bet against at least one of them making a significant impact under the Meydan lights.