Dubai: Reigning UAE champion trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe is assembling a formidable team for next month's Dubai World Cup, which includes three of the winners he saddled when his team posted a memorable three-timer at the Dubai International Racing Carnival over the weekend.
The Emirati handler has a lot to reflect on following the successes of Deerbas, Haatheq and Green Beret on Thursday night, which in terms of both context and magnitude, will have put him in a very strong position ahead of the March 26 mega event.
Derbass provided the icing on the cake for Al Raihe when recording his fourth victory in a row in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort, a major prep race for the $5 million (Dh18 million) Dubai Duty Free (Gr 1).
The five-year-old son of Seeking The Gold, who was bred in Kentucky by Shadwell, held off the late challenge of heavy favourite Raihana to win by one-half length.
More to come
Al Raihe was quick to declare that he will now be aiming for the Duty Free, a race that he won last season with Al Shemali.
"He's really improving with every run and we believe that there is more to come," said the trainer. "Obviously we will be delighted if we can win the Dubai Duty Free again and we hope that Derbaas will have a big chance in the race."
Jockey Richard Hills, whose superior skills were never more obvious on the night, said: "Tactically, Derbaas has got a lot of speed and is a good horse to ride. They didn't go too fast but he has a good turn of foot and that's a big bonus.
"He's improved from his last run and when you have a horse that's improving all the time you have to stick with them," he said about opting to ride Derbaas in favour of stablemate Snaafy, who finished unplaced.
Christophe Soumillion, had no regrets about the way he rode last year's Oaks winner Raihana, having only made his move at the 300m mark.
"She was unlucky, but you've got to stick to the plan and ride your horse the way she likes to be ridden," he said. "She likes to be held up off the pace and sometimes it looks like she isn't travelling well, but she keeps on finding and shows great battling qualities."
Soumillon, however, was confident that Rihana will be a leading candidate in the Dubai Duty Free,
Meanwhile, Al Raihe, said that Haatheq, who was ridden to victory in the first leg of the Meydan Masters jockeys challenge by American superstar Calvin Borel, will be aimed at the Group 2 Godolphin Mile.
Green Beret, a surprise winner of a six-furlong handicap on Tapeta under Ahmad Ajtebi, will target the Group 1 Golden Shaheen on the all-weather along with stable companion Alazeyab, who finished 3/4l and a short-head back in third.
"We are looking at having about six runners on Dubai World Cup night," said Al Raihe. "The key now is to keep the horses fit and happy and hope that they will improve in the coming weeks."
The trainer pointed out that Happy Dubai, a smart winner of two starts this season, will probably run in the Listed Al Quoz Sprint on turf as well.
