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| Staff Writer |
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The seven-time UAE champion Doug Watson has always been able to rise to the occasion and the American handler hopes to do it once again in great style on Dubai World Cup night.
Golden Goal’s win was a third for Watson in the early Carnival highlight and he now has a return to the Dubai World Cup card firmly on the agenda for the grey gelding, who was second in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile last season.
“We were so pleased to see him win that; it’s great for Dale [Brennan], his owner,” says Watson. “He (Golden Goal) is a horse that will walk on hot stones for you. He scoped badly after his last race but he has been aimed at the Godolphin Mile again.”
Golden Goal will go up against stablemate Shadwell’s Mubakker, who was last seen finishing in runner-up position in the Gr.3 Burj Nahaar.
“He is a really nice horse. We hope he draws well giving him a clear path to the wire,” said Watson.
Watson is hoping to add Everfast to his glittering Godolphin Mile line-up as well. The 6YO son of Take Charge Indy was last seen finishing third behind Hypothetical in the Gr.1 Al Maktoum Challenge E3. The entire who finished second to War of Will in the 2019 Preakness Stakes, was sold to Kildare Stud’s Frankie O'Connor and was transferred to Watson’s yard to continue his racing career in Dubai.
The US$1m Group 2 Godolphin Mile, will see Bhupat Seemar’s Secret Ambition defend his title.
Locally-trained Al Tariq, Canvassed will represent Doug Watson’s yard in the Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. They will be up against some talented American dirt sprinters including Mark Glatt’s Dr. Schivel, winner of the Gr.1 Bing Crosby Stakes, the 2020 Gr.1 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity, and Drain The Clock, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., winner of the Gr.1 Woody Stephens.
The five-year-old Shamardal gelding, owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, finished fifth in the Gr.3 Mahab Al Shimaal behind Eastern World while Al Tariq finished fourth on Super Saturday night.
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Shadwell’s 6YO gelding Khuzzam is being aimed at the Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint. The son of Kitten’s Joy under stable jockey Pat Dobbs collared Alkaraama in the final 100 metres in the Jebel Ali Sprint. He faces a potent field of top class sprinters, including Appleby’s Man Of Promise. The Godolphin handler seeks to become the first trainer to win the Gr.1 sprint three times. Following Blue Point’s retirement to Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland, the search began for his successor and it did not take long for Appleby to uncover another sprinting talent in Man Of Promise.
Unlike previous years, Thegreatcollection, who is now almost a mascot for Red Stables will not be joining his stablemates at Meydan. “He is getting on in years. But he is a big strong horse and if he is still here next season, it will be a joy to train him,” says the seasoned UAE handler. Prince Eiji will also be rested over the summer to improve his form for the next season.
As always, the master of Red Stables Doug Watson will venture into Dubai World Cup night “very hopeful” that his “best group” has some “decent chances”.