Dubai — Two seasons ago, trainer Doug Watson was plotting to have a shot at the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) with his star filly Polar River, an imperious winner of four consecutive races at Meydan that culminated in the UAE Oaks (G1)
Unfortunately, that was not to be.
But now Watson, a native of Ohio who came to the UAE in 1993, might have earned himself a second chance, following a performance that brought back memories of the exciting Polar River.
- Doug Watson | Trainer
Twice a bridesmaid to Godolphin’s highly-regarded Winter Lightning in the UAE 1,000 Guineas and Trial, Rayya emphatically turned the tables on her conqueror to comfortably win Thursday’s 17th renewal of the Oaks.
Showing maturity and boasting bundles of stamina, the daughter of Tiz Wonderful gave jockey Pat Dobbs a ‘different’ feel when cantering to a 3 3/4 length victory over Godolphin’s Expressiy and Winter Lightning.
Watson was delighted with the improvement his filly displayed and revealed that he has no hesitation in running her in the $2 million UAE Derby (G2) on March 31, Dubai World Cup night.
“She was just not herself in the Guineas, but was much better tonight and always looked happy,” Watson said. “I imagine we will have to look at the UAE Derby now but will enjoy this first.
“The Kentucky Oaks (May 4) would be (a goal). We have her nominated, but let’s see how she comes out of this and the (UAE) Derby.”
Assessing Winter Lightning’s performance, trainer Saeed Bin Surour said: “She just wasn’t herself, right from the parade right to the start and in the race itself.
“She’s still a baby and this just wasn’t her day. She raced green for most of the trip and having to run on the outside, without any cover, did not do her any favours as well.
“We knew from a long way out in the race that she was unhappy and that’s one of the reason’s why she did not run her normal race,” he added.
“But like I said she’s still learning and we’ll learn something as well from this. I’m willing to draw a line through this race, as we know she’s capable of much better. So we’ll probably look at the UAE Derby, but we first have to see how she is over the next couple of days.”
Meanwhile, Bin Surour’s Godolphin workmate Charlie Appleby may have found himself some nice firepower for the future following Rare Rhythm’s victory in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, a prep race for the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup.
A six-year-old gelding by Dubawi out of a Singspiel mare Derminsemiquaver, Rare Rhythm had the beating of French superstar Vazirabad, winner of the last two runnings of the Dubai Gold Cup.
Appleby, who had been contemplating a trip to Australia with the horse where his target of likely to be the Sydney Cup (April 4), added: “I have spoken to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad [Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai] and we have agreed he will stay here for the Dubai Gold Cup.
“We thought he had a big chance tonight because he was working very well and looked in great nick. Hopefully, he will be very competitive on the big night in four weeks’ time.”
