PRIMED FOR SUCCESS: Jockey Mickael Barzalona rides Dee Ex Bee in the Meydan Cup race during the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan. - Photo by Neeraj Murali
Dubai - The five-year-old will contest The Red Sea Turf Handicap at the inaugural Saudi Cup and the Dubai Gold Cup on Dubai World Cup night
Published: Fri 31 Jan 2020, 8:52 PM
Last updated: Fri 31 Jan 2020, 10:59 PM
Dee Ex Bee made his first foray at his namesake home and the five-year-old had a decent outing under the shimmering lights of the Meydan Racecourse, priming him up for bigger battles ahead.
And Emirati handler Salem bin Ghadayer was pleased with his workout as he lines up the son of Farhh for The Red Sea Turf Handicap at the inaugural Saudi Cup at the end of February before making his bow on Dubai World Cup night.
Having shipped well from Middleham to Dubai last December, Dee Ex Bee finished fifth in the Meydan Cup in the fifth race meeting of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.
It was his first race since finishing third in the Group 1 Prix du Cadran at Longchamp last October and Dee Ex Bee warmed up nicely for what is to come.
"Some horses when they arrive from a different country, maybe they need time to get acclimatized with the weather and everything. But, for me, I'm so happy with the horse and his work, with his gallop," said Fazza Racing Stable trainer Salem bin Ghadayer.
Dee Ex Bee, owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, led for most of the 14-furlong race under retained jockey Mickael Barzalona, before ending up fifth.
Apart from The Red Sea Turf Handicap, which will be run across 3000 metres, Dee Ex Bee will contest the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup at the end of March.
And bin Ghadayer was confident of his ward doing well. "I'm 100 percent sure he will have a lot of things after this race. I'm very happy with how he ran, under the lights. In general, he needed this race and I'm sure if everything goes in the right way with him, our aim is the big night. I believe we are going to reach the (Dubai) World Cup night at 100 percent," he opined.
The Saudi Cup will be held at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh on February 29, while the landmark 25th renewal of the Dubai World Cup takes place on March 28.
james@khaleejtimes.com
Seemar saddles four runners
The horse racing season in the UAE is in the midst of the Dubai World Cup Carnival (DWCC) and some of the horses will be aiming to be a part of that when racing resumes after a day's gap on Saturday afternoon.
The non-DWCC meeting features a six-race card at the Meydan Racecourse and Dubai-based Indian trainer Satish Seemar has four runners in a Handicap.
To be run over a distance of six furlongs, Seemar has Haalick, with the highest official rating of 89, apart from Yalawin, Speedy Move and Being There.
And Tadhg O'Shea, the most successful jockey of all-time in the UAE, was optimistic of Haalick's chances.
"He is a nice horse and seems in good form at home," said O'Shea, who an unprecedented seventh UAE Jockey Championship title last season.
"It looks very competitive, but we hope the straight track at Meydan will suit him and this looks a good spot to get him back on turf," added the Irishman, who equaled compatriot Ted Durcan and also surpassed Richard Hills' mark of 504 victories.
And while O'Shea rides Haalick, Yalawin is the mount of Harry Bentley. Apprentice jockey Sean Kirrane will be onboard Speedy Move, while Seemar's stable jockey Richard Mullen will handle Being There, who will be back in action after a 584-day hiatus.
james@khaleejtimes.com
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