Dubai: Trainer Doug Watson had to endure some nerve-racking moments before clinching his second UAE trainer's championship in thrilling fashion at the Jebel Ali Racecourse yesterday.
The prestigious title was signed, sealed and all but delivered when Watson won the fourth race of the day, a 1400 metre handicap, with the Darragh O'Donohoe-ridden Janadel.
It took his tally for the term to an unbeatable 36 wins and saw UAE national trainer Musabah Al Muhairi, who has enjoyed a career-best season, a crestfallen runner-up with 34 wins.
"It was always going to be a tight race, but it's a big relief to win this, especially after the first two races," said Watson referring to Tri Another Cat and Patio's narrow defeats.
"But it's been a fantastic year. We've done extremely with the horses that we have, and we haven't had a whole lot of new horses.
"The team have worked hard all the year round and this victory is a testament to the people that work at the stables. I'm so happy for them.
"It is nice that Darragh was in the saddle as he has been an important part of the team."
Watson also paid tribute to Al Muhairi.
"He's had a fantastic season as well and all credit to what he has accomplished," said the Red Stables master.
Watson won the title in 2006 but lost it to Zabeel Stables' Satish Seemar last season.
Meanwhile Ted Durcan has virtually secured an unprecedented seventh UAE jockey's title by winning the final race of the day, a 1,000 handicap, on the Adi Selvaratnam-trained Al Shaamikh.
Good season
It was the Irish rider's 27th winner of the season, and only a hat-trick of wins from Tadhg O'Shea on Dubai World Cup night next Saturday, will see him denied a history victory.
"It has been a good season and I am very grateful to all the owners and trainers I have ridden for," he told the Dubai Racing Club.
Former champion trainer Erwan Charpy ended his season on a high note when he captured the Derrinstown Stud-sponsored feature race with Singing Poet.
A winner of the Jebel Ali Stakes last season, the seven-year-old son of Singspiel, beat stable companion Mister Fasliyev under Frankie Dettori.
Winning jockey O'Shea said: "He is a really nice horse and all credit to Erwan (Charpy) for getting him back on track as he has had an awful lot of problems throughout his career."
For Once won the opening 1600m handicap under Godolphin pilot Kerrin McEvoy for Dhruba Selvaratnam while Royston Ffrench gave Dubai-based Kuwaiti trainer Rashed Bouresly something to smile about when riding Dona Dubai to victory in the 1600m handicap for fillies and mares.
Top Irish rider Johnny Murtagh completed a double for Jebel Ali-based trainer Selvaratnam when he won the 1400m handicap with Mannjal.
Results
Race 1. Thoroughbred Handicap (45-70) 1,600m Dirt: 1. For Once (D Selvaratnam) K McEvoy; 2. Tri Another Cat (D Watson) T Durcan; 3. Otranto (A Al Raihe) R Ffrench. Distances: Short Head, 1.25 length, 2.75. Time: 1:41.37secs.
Race 2. Thoroughbred Handicap (65-90) 1,600m Dirt: 1. Donia Dubai (R Bouresly) R Ffrench; 2. Patio (D Watson) T Durcan; 3. Miss Clonyn (D Watson) D O'Donohoe. Distances: 0.5length, 2.5, 1.25. Time: 1:42.20.
Race 3. Thoroughbred Conditions 1,950 Dirt: 1. Singing Poet (E Charpy) T O'Shea; 2. Mister Fasliyev (E Charpy) L Dettori; 3. Dynamic Saint (D Watson) T Durcan. Distances: 6lengths, 1.5, Short Head. Time: 2:01.28.
Race 4. Thoroughbred Handicap (65-80) 1,400m Dirt: 1. Janadel (D Watson) d O'Donohoe; 2. Change Alley (A Al Raihe) R Ffrench; 3. Jaasoos (D Selvaratnam) J Murtagh. Distances: 4.25lengths, Head, 1. Tim: 1:28.60.
Race 5. Thoroughbred Handicap (55-80) 1,400m Dirt: 1. Mannjal (D Selvaratnam) J Murtagh; 2. Liwa (M Al Muhairi) D Smith; 3. Secret Place (A Selvaratnam) L Jones. Distances: 4lengths 3.25, 0.25. Time: 1:26.91.
Race 6. Thoroughbred Handicap (40-65) 1,000m Dirt: 1. Al Shaamikh (A Selvaratnam) T Durcan; 2. Kept Faith (E Charpy) T O'Shea; 3. Important Game (D Watson) R Mullen. Distances: 0.5lengths, 1.25. 3.25. Time: 1:01.84.
