Doug Watson backs Colour Up for Dubai Golden Shaheen

Dubai: Doug Watson has seen it all in UAE racing, but few horses have been as dependable as Colour Up.

The seven-year-old has made a habit of delivering consistent performances, barring one off-day on Dubai World Cup night last year. Now, after a wind operation that revitalised his form, Watson is backing him to be in the mix again when he lines up in the $2 million Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on the Dubai World Cup night on Saturday.

The ever-reliable sprinter has finished second to Tuz three times this season, with his only below-par effort coming in this race a year ago. While reversing form with his rival will be no easy task, Watson is confident Colour Up can run up to his best from draw two.

“That’s a very tough race with Tuz and Straight No Chaser in there,” Watson said. “He’s performed well for us, he’s never missed a cheque except for World Cup night last year. He had a little breathing issue, so they did some surgery, and it seems to have worked well. I can imagine him being in the placings.”

Four runners training extremely well

Watson will also saddle Rafid in the UAE Derby, Oasis Boy in the Godolphin Mile, and First Classs in the Kahayla Classic.

“All four of my World Cup night runners are training extremely well,” he said. “I’m very happy with their condition.

“We got our final works in on Sunday, apart from First Classs, who ran recently. The other three worked very well — nothing special, but good works for them. We wouldn’t have wanted to do too much with them. They’re bouncing, on and off the track.”

Mixed reactions to barrier draw

Connections of two of Japan’s leading contenders had contrasting views on their Dubai Golden Shaheen draws.

Remake will break from stall eight of 12, with stable representative Masafuni Matsuda satisfied with the position.

“His draw is between American Stage and Straight No Chaser. It is a very good draw. I will leave it to Frankie [Dettori],” Matsuda said.

However, Yoshito Yahagi was less pleased with stall seven for American Stage.

“An inside draw would have been ideal, but this is not too bad,” he said.

Straight No Chaser chases history

Meanwhile, American champion sprinter Straight No Chaser turned in an energetic gallop a little more than three days ahead of his 1,200-metre dirt challenge, sponsored by Nakheel.

The six-year-old will attempt to become the first horse to complete the unofficial Sprint Triple Crown by adding the Golden Shaheen to his victories in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint.

“Straight No Chaser is the one that brought us here, and as everyone knows, he’s just an awesome horse,” said enthusiastic shareholder Will Diaz. “I am loving it here. It’s been great, and I can’t wait for Saturday to come. Boy, he’s amazing — such a tough horse.”

About 30 minutes later, trainer Dan Blacker reappeared to exchange pleasantries with the group of around 50 supporters, each relishing the moment.

Another big race

“I couldn’t possibly be more excited,” said Diaz. “I’ve been very lucky — I was also involved with [MyRacehorse’s G1 Preakness Stakes winner] Seize The Grey, but this experience is just so great.”

“At the end of the day, this is what I am trying to do — to take horses and race them internationally in places like Saudi and Dubai.

“It’s been very satisfying to be able to do this for MyRacehorse, to be able to give them these sorts of experiences, and hopefully, Straight No Chaser will run another big race this weekend.”