Dubai: It’s 4.55 am and here they come, a tidal wave of camera crew, TV pundits and scribes from every country you could think of.
Hot on their heels comes the next wave, this one made of equine athletes, ears pricked, heads tossing, eyes watching the goings-on around them.
For these horses, who are used to competing at the highest level, the racetrack is their stage, and we, their audience. Some, like all great sportsmen and women, will rise to the occasion while others will want to run and hide.
The risers are definitely Mind Your Biscuits, West Coast, Music Magnate [outstanding mover in his turf breeze], Illustrious Lad and Talismanic. So far no one has tried to run and hide!
I was delighted to watch champion trainer Doug Watson put the final touches to his World Cup team in the quiet surrounds of his home base.
Three in the Godolphin mile include the fast improving Kimbear, ultra consistent Arabian, Paddy’s Day, Shaheen sprinter My Catch and Derby filly Rayya who was my eyecatcher for the morning.
An American-bred and beautifully constructed chestnut, she moved like a dream in her breeze. She will fly the flag for UAE racing when she heads to California next month to be prepared for the Kentucky Oaks by superstar trainer, Bob Baffert, and it would be extra special if she flies off with a UAE Derby win on her CV.
— Jacquie Doyle is a former trainer and the mother of leading jockeys, James and Sophie Doyle
