Watson Brings Three To Al Ain
We are already at the end of 2018 and Al Ain hosts its last meeting with a Thoroughbred handicap feature.
Champion trainer Doug Watson saddles three with stable jockey Pat Dobbs opting to partner Ballad Singer, who posted his sole career victory in a 2000m Sharjah handicap last November under the same jockey. He was third on his only start to date this season, in the equivalent Sharjah handicap to the one he landed last year, but he has somewhat disappointed on his two previous Al Ain outings.
Ballad Singer is owned by Mohd Khalifa Al Basti, as is stable companion Igloo, the mount of Sam Hitchcott. He too has one success on his resume, which came in a 1400m Jebel Ali maiden 54 weeks ago when Dobbs was in the saddle.
Seeking a first winner of the season, Beverley Deutrom has only saddled 12 runners so far during the campaign, but has two in this, including course winner Parklife, victorious in a handicap over 1800m just over a year ago.
Entitled to have needed his Meydan return last week, over 2200m, he has to be considered with Al Ain known to suit him whereas stable companion, Ticket Holder, has yet to race there.
When Parklife was victorious last year he was chased home by Mears, one of three in the race for Ali Rashid Al Rayhi and the choice of Fernando Jara. That was his only visit to Al Ain with his one career success achieved in a 1900m maiden at Meydan in January.
He is joined by stable companions Secret Trade and Cross Step, the mounts of Royston Ffrench and Olivier Doleuze respectively. Of the pair, the former is an Al Ain winner having landed a handicap over the same 2000m as Thursday’s race in February 2017.
In what does appear a truly wide open contest, Richard Mullen rides Press Room for his main employer, Satish Seemar. Twice a Meydan winner in 2015, he has dropped a long way in the ratings since and has finished third at Meydan, and second at Sharjah on his two outings this season.
For Musabbeh Al Mheiri, Ben Curtis rides Jintshi, a course and distance winner for Seemar and Mullen in January. Owned by Al Bait Mutawahed Team, he will be having his third start since changing yards having twice failed to land a blow at Jebel Ali.
Having landed his 100th career success at his local track last week, Helal Al Alawi, based at The National Stables in Al Ain, will be hoping to build on that tally. He and Billy Lee combine with Leicestershire, having just his fifth career start and second this season.
Credit: Emirates Racing Authority