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Doug Watson has reported that HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s 2019 DWC Carnival winner Ekhtiyaar may try the dirt as an experiment in December.
Out of a Giant's Causeway mare, the son of Bated Breath reportedly moves well over the Red Stables' dirt course.
The Nad Al Sheba Sprint (G3) runner-up was last seen in action finishing 9th of 13 in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1)… Going into this weekend, five jockeys currently share the lead in the UAE seasonal standings with seven victories apiece: Pat Dobbs, Connor Beasley, Tadhg O'Shea, Antonio Fresu and Szczepan Mazur.
Of those, Dobbs leads in prize money (about $221,000) and strike rate (29.2%) from his 24 mounts… The owners' race is off to an exciting start as Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Shadwell blue and white are back this year in full force, matching strides with the silver and black of defending champion Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, garnering six victories apiece, which is double Mohd Khalifa Al Basti and HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who are tied in third… The eye-catching silks of EERC (Emirates Entertainment Racing Club) are off to an auspicious start to the season with two victories and a fifth from five starts, already equalling their win total from last season.
They will try to double up with Watson-trained Oct. 24 winner Tradesman in the Longines Record Collection handicap over 1900m on Thursday… Eddie Wong Ming Chak and Wong Leung Sau Hing's Exultant continued his march toward an intended start in March's $6 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) with a stylish win in Sunday's Jockey Club Cup (G2) at Hong Kong's Sha Tin.
Rated an impressive 119, the son of Teofilo will first attempt to defend his title in the Hong Kong Vase (G1) in three weeks' time… 2019 Burj Nahaar (G3) runner-up and Turkish star Good Curry is reportedly coming back for the 2020 DWC Carnival… Two DWC Carnival alumni will contest the $260,000 Bahrain International Trophy in its inaugural running this Friday at Rashid Equestrian & Horse Racing Club, Aquarium and Eugenio.
