Dubai: Trainer Doug Watson enjoyed a magical night at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday, when he landed the feature race of the Longines-sponsored meeting as part of a brilliant four-timer.
The former champion also narrowly missed out on what would have been a phenomenal fifth victory when his local debutant, Padlock, finished second to Can You Conga.
Watso and his Red Stables team, however, were relishing the rewards of hard work and good strategies with the quartet of wins taking his season’s tally to 16.
“It has been a truly great evening,” said the former champion handler who has been based in the UAE since 1993. “We knew we had some decent chances, but you can never be too confident.
“Obviously we have identified some nice horses for the Carnival and we are very hopeful for the rest of the season.”
While One Man Band was the undisputed star of the night with his track record-breaking performance in the featured Dh170,000 Longines Master Collection handicap, UAE debutant Polar River made eyes pop and jaws drop when posting a 13.5 length victory over her rivals in a time that was just two hundredths of a second outside the 1:10.63 course record set by Secret Circle in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) in March this year.
Both winners were ridden by British-born rider Sam Hitchcott who envisaged Polar River, a two-year old who was making her racecourse debut, as a filly with a ‘big future’.
“She is very useful,” said the Red Stables-based ride. “It was a very good performance, especially first time out.
“It would be nice to think she will build on this and hopefully she is a filly with a big future.”
Commenting on One Man Band’s seven-length victory over a high-quality field that included stable companion and Carnival winner Faulkner in the Longines Master Collection Hitchcott added: “The track has been riding quick as the times prove. The Watson horses have been running well and it has been a great team effort all season.
“One Man Band goes well round here and had the benefit of race fitness, but I am sure Faulkner has more to offer in the future.”
Faulkner, who could only finish fourth, was later to found to have pulled up lame in his left foreleg.
Watson commented: “He really needed that run, probably more so than we thought. Fingers crossed all is well and, hopefully, he can have a good 2016.”
The trainer’s accumulation of trophies on the night continued when Jeeraan won the Longines Dolce Vita Collection and Famous Warrior recorded a hugely popular victory in the Longines Dolce Vita Collection for the Emirates Entertainment Racing Club (EERC) syndicate.
“Famous Warrior was actually a Dubai World Cup Carnival winner for me in the past and continues to try his best,” said Watson.
Dane O’Neill who was aboard Jeeraan in a 2000m handicap, commented, “He needed the first run,” said O’Neill. “We knew he was better than that and he has proved it here.
“Doug has his team in great form and Jeeraan has won nicely here.”
Earlier in the evening, Abu Dhabi-based French handler Eric Lemartinel won the Mazrat Al Ruwayah Prep over 1600m.
Having saddled Bigg N Rich to victory last season, it was the turn of RB Torch to win the Prep under stable jockey Wayne Smith. The winner also set a track record for Purebred Arabians over the mile of 1:47.87.
“Eric asked me to ride him about a week ago,” said Smith. “He was spot on and predicted we would hit a flat spot but would then run home strongly once we hit the straight.
“And that is actually what happened.”
Results
Meydan Racecourse
Thursday, December 3
Race 1. Mazrat Al Ruwayah Prep Presented By Longines Conquest Classic Gents Moon Phases (Purebred Arabians — Rated Conditions) 1600m Dirt:
1. Rb Torch (E Lemartinel) Wayne Smith; 2. Rb So Rich; 3. Haajeb; 4. Richlore.
Distances: 1 length, 1.5, 2.25. Time: 01:47.87s.
Race 2. Longines Conquest Classic Ladies (Thoroughbred — Maiden) 1200m Dirt:
1. Polar River (D Watson) Sam Hitchcott; 2. Quiet Diplomacy; 3. Kabawi; 4. Inense Effort.
Distances: 13.5 length, 3.75, 2.5. Time: 01:10.87s.
Race 3. Longines Master Collection (Thoroughbred — Handicap) 1600m Dirt:
1. One Man Band (D Watson); 2. Lanark; 3. Ostaad; 4. Faulkner.
Distances: 7 length, 3, 1.25. Time: 01:35.68s.
Race 4. Longines Dolce Vita Collection (Thoroughbred — Handicap) 2000m Dirt:
1. Jeeran (D Watson) Dane O’Neill; 2. Torchlighter; 3. Prepared; 4. Etijaah.
Distances: 2 length, Nose, 4. Time: 02:05.16s.
Race 5. Longines Dolce Vita Collection (Thoroughbred — Handicap) 1400m Dirt:
1. Famous Warrior (D Watson) Pat Dobbs; 2. Albayan; 3. Qannaas; 4. Mandilion.
Distances: 3.75 length, 2.75, 1.75. Time: 01.24.98s.
Race 6. Longines Master Collection (Thoroughbred — Handicap) 1200m Dirt:
1. Can You Conga (M Ramadan) David Probert; 2. Padlock; 3. Colour Guard; 4. Montmorency.
Distances: 1.75 length, 1.25, 1. Time: 01:12.90s.
