Dubai: The UAE Derby (G2), won by Godolphin's filly Khawlah in 2011, looks set to draw an international field.
Yang Tse Kiang is an interesting contender from France, where he has already been in the winners' circle this year. He may be named after a Chinese river but this gelding was bred in France and that is also where he has done all his racing to date.
Yang Tse Kiang needed three attempts before breaking his maiden as a juvenile, then stepped up markedly to finish second to Loi in the Prix de Conde (G3) over 1800 metres on good ground at Longchamp. His preceding win had been achieved on very soft ground, and Yang Tse Kiang's win first time out this season came over the new Poytrack surface at Chantilly.
He seems to be very versatile. He prepared for his trip to Dubai in the best possible way, taking the Prix du Lieutenant over 1900 metres in early March. Yang Tse Kiang was by far the best in what became a two-horse affair, and this performance confirmed the promise he showed in his first season.
This Derby contender flies the flag for the cheaper horses in this sport, as he is living proof that you do not always have to spend a fortune to compete in the most valuable races in the world.
Geir Stabell is the editor of Globeform, a Newmarket-based independent racing and handicapping publication.
