3 minute read

Trainer Doug Watson began this season more than hopeful that he could provide HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum with a serious contender for the Group 1, $1 million Al Quoz Sprint, but even the six-time UAE champion conditioner has been caught by surprise with how he got there.

In recent editions, HH Sheikh Hamdan had been a bit unlucky in the race, including finishing second and third with market favourite Ertijaal in 2016 and 2017, but there was cause for optimism going into this season.

Among the stars of Watson's yard were a pair of standout grass dashers who wore the Shadwell blue and white—Group 2 winner Waady and multiple Dubai World Cup Carnival winner Ekhtiyaar —and each appeared primed for a big 2020-21. Unfortunately, said pair's collective luck went flaccid when the former came out of his Feb. 18 Meydan Sprint (G2) defense attempt injured and the latter started off his season on a lacklustre note that kept dulling its tune thereafter.

Enter the most unlikely of candidates in Motafaawit , who failed to win in his first five starts for Red Stables, all at seven furlongs or more, but did show some potential in the straight-coursed Jebel Ali Classic (Silver Jubilee) one year ago (won by 2021 G1 Dubai World Cup-bound Thegreatcollection). Said layout would prove a bit of foreshadowing, as he has since been found a connoisseur of the shortest distance between two points.

Fast-forward to 2021 and the well-liked bay charge known for his approachable disposition in the barn suddenly went from 'a piece of the furniture' to a well-furnished machine.

"He's always worked well and you look at his form from the UK and it's pretty decent," Watson said. "When he came in last year, it took a little time to get him right and we found out that running a straight line helps him immensely and brought out the best in him. He had always seemed a little funny on the turns and his high head-carriage limits him a bit.

"We've always liked him, so it was a surprise that he had not shown much in the races, but his run in the Silver Jubilee last year was okay and we became hopeful," he continued. "This year, we put him on the straight course again and he has run much better than expected. He's training great right now and is in good shape heading into the Al Quoz." 

The son of Intikhab was previously in the care of Richard Hannon in the UK, winning three times, all at seven furlongs. When attempting shorter for the first time, a five-furlong Meydan handicap in February, the late-closing gelding inhaled well-regarded sprinter Mutaraffa, Godolphin's talented Story of Light and old warrior Caspian Prince to win by 2 1/2 widening lengths.  

Dismissed at 33/1 that day, the effort set him up nicely for a run 23 days later in Super Saturday's Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (G3) in which he closed resolutely (final 400m in 23.35) to miss by a stride at the wire to Final Song. Dismissed again at 14/1, he was a head shy of the Guineas-performing filly and thus saw his rating hoist from 103 to 111, placing him squarely in Al Quoz contention. 

"We expected him to run well on Super Saturday, but were pleasantly surprised with how well he stacked up against those types," Watson explained. "If he can replicate that effort, I think he's in with a chance on (Dubai) World Cup day. It was three weeks between his last two runs and it'll be three weeks until the Al Quoz. He's proven he can fire back on that time frame. The ground will be fresh and lush that day, as it'll just the second race on it in three weeks, so I think he can draw anywhere. He breaks well, but he'll drop back and make his run. 

"Hopefully he can do it," he continued. "If the pace is strong up front and horses can close that day, he'll be one of them. It would be great to win the race and I'd love to do it for Sheikh Hamdan and get him a big win on the night. He's also a homebred of His Highness, which makes it that much more special if he can do it." 

The grandson of Guineas winner Natagora will be making just his 16th start in the Al Quoz and Watson is quite aware that his future is ahead of him. 

"He's only five and we feel like he's a horse to look forward to, for sure," he said. "It's nice to be back in the Al Quoz with a horse like him because last year we were really confident we would get a placing with Waady or Ekhtiyaar before it was all cancelled. Plus he's just a cool horse who's very kind and everyone in the barn loves him." 

Watson also supplied updates on the aforementioned stablemates: "Waady sustained an injury in his last race and we are hopeful he will make it back next season. Ekhtiyaar is very sound, but has gotten progressively worse in his performance. We think we have it figured out, but will look to run him on April 8 with an eye on getting back to the Al Quoz next year." 

In the meantime, the momentum lies with Motafaawit. 

IN BRIEF:

Victorious' Salute the Soldier, one of the favourites for the Dubai World Cup, breezed at Meydan on Wednesday morning, shipping in from across town at his Metro Training Track base. Trainer and part-owner Fawzi Nass was on hand and pleased with the maintenance move of the dual Al Maktoum Challenge winner. Jockey Adrie de Vries was aboard... Mr. Freeze was ruled out of the Dubai World Cup with an injury and did not ship from the U.S. for trainer Dale Romans... Jockey Ryan Moore has been paired with Dallas Stewart-trained Title Ready for the Dubai World Cup, per representatives of owner Charles Fipke, who also has Speight'spercomete in the UAE Derby... Capezzano is now considered probable for the Dubai World Cup, despite his recent record. The G1 winner is winless since Feb. 2020's Firebreak Stakes. He joins fellow Salem bin Ghadayer trainee Hypothetical in the gate.. Tilsit is now considered possible for the Dubai Turf for Juddmonte and Charlie Hills. He was off the board as the market joint-favourite in the Neom Turf Cup on Saudi Cup day.