Racing fraternity ready for Sharjah opener

Sharjah - Doug Watson, who has saddled doubles at both Jebel Ali and Meydan already this season, is another trainer doubly represented in the race.

By KT Report

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Sat 7 Nov 2015, 8:03 PM

Sharjah is the third racecourse to stage racing in the UAE this season and Saturday's first meeting is a six-race affair which has attracted a very healthy turnout with 86 runners set to face the starter.
The official feature is a 2000m handicap with a maximum field of 16 set to take their chance, including last year's winner Bedayer Al Asayl.
The mount of Tadhg O'Shea, he is one of two in the race for Eric Lemartinel, the new master of Al Asayl Stables and it could be significant that Gerald Avranche rides stable companion Bashayer.
Avranche's mount has only had four outings, winning a 1400m Al Ain maiden on the second of them. She looks open to improvement and could be the one to beat.
Doug Watson, who has saddled doubles at both Jebel Ali and Meydan already this season, is another trainer doubly represented in the race.
Stable jockey, Pat Dobbs, rides Kokomo and Dane O'Neill, also in double form at Meydan on Thursday, is aboard The Secret.
A case can be made for both with the lightly raced Kokomo a 1700m course winner in maiden company on her fourth and most recent start, seemingly likely to appreciate the extra 300m on this occasion.
The Secret has yet to win a race after seven starts but has shown plenty of promise. Watson has made a good start to the season and was leading trainer at Sharjah last season.
"We had plenty of joy here at Sharjah last term," said Watson. "This looks a competitive race but both mine are going well at home. The Secret works like a good horse and I do not mind his wide draw as it means Dane can take his time and get a good position to suit himself. We could have waited a week with Kokomo but she was guaranteed a run here and we are keen to try her over 2000m. Hopefully both will run well."
Montmorency, with Richard Mullen riding for Satish Seemar, is another nine-year-old course and distance winner but he has not won since March 2012. They too celebrated a winner at Meydan. Watson relies on Mukhabarat, well beaten at Jebel Ali last week. "Hopefully the flatter track at Sharjah will suit him," said Watson. "He shows plenty of speed in the mornings and this looks a good spot for him."
Dhruba Selvaratnam and stable jockey, Chris Hayes, made a bright start to the campaign at Jebel Ali and combine with Mizwaaj. He tries the Sharjah surface for the first time on his seventh local start.


More news from