Speedsters clash in open Garhoud Sprint

The Dubai World Cup Carnival’s sprint programme is firmly on the agenda for the eight who will fight it out in the featured Listed Garhoud Sprint [Sponsored by DP World UAE] at Meydan Racecourse on Friday.

Doug Watson is adept with sprinters and runs two in his quest for a third win in the 1200metre contest, which was won last season by subsequent G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner Switzerland. Watson’s stable jockey Pat Dobbs rides Group 3 winner Canvassed (pictured), while Sam Hitchcott does the steering on Al Tariq, who carries a penalty for his win in the G3 Dubawi Stakes.

“Both Al Tariq and Canvassed are well,” said Watson, who last won this race with Drafted in 2018. “Both are having their first runs in a while but we took them for racecourse gallops and I expect them to go close.”

Owners Shadwell have won this race four times since its inception in 2014 and run two this time, both trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri. They are Raaeb, the mount of retained rider Dane O’Neill, who beat Island Rule by three and a half lengths over 1400metres here on his dirt debut, and Mutaraffa, the mount of Antonio Fresu.

Mouheeb, winner of the Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas here in 2021, made a perfect start to his campaign when beating a strong field at Jebel Ali at the end of October. That was his first outing for trainer Michael Costa, who believes the son of Flatter is fitter for that run.

“Mouheeb has come on from the first run and tightened up nicely,” said the Australian handler. “He makes the transition to Meydan and could not look any better within himself.”

Champion Trainer Bhupat Seemar is double handed, sending out US recruit Freedom Fighter and Listed winner Tuz, while some South American flare is added to the race courtesy of Upper Class, who ran away with a course and distance handicap a month ago. Drawn in one, the five-year-old takes a big leap in class but trainer Julio Olascoaga is hopeful of another big run.

“He faces a similar field to what he will encounter in the sprint division in the Carnival,” said the Uruguayan. “He’s had just maintenance work since his last win and jockey Jose Da Silva is happy with his condition.”

Olascoaga also runs the exciting Long Kiss in the Mirdif Stakes [Sponsored by Jebel Ali Port], race six, over 1400metres. As only South American-bred in the field and also a recent winner, the colt must carry a double penalty and concede a minimum of four and a half kilos to his seven rivals.

“Long Kiss came out very well from his last start and looks fitter and sharper than before,” continued Olascoaga. “The weight should be no problem for him as he’s a strong and very well-made colt.”

In the same race, Costa sends out Seyouff, who made a promising start to his career when beaten into second on debut from a wide draw. In eight this time, he should give another good account, while it would also be unwise to rule out Sharp Army, winner on debut last month.

Earlier on, the third race, the 1600metre Mina Hamriya Handicap, looks very competitive and sees 2020 UAE Oaks winner Down On Da Bayou give weight to her 13 rivals. They include the exciting Mersaal, two from two in his career at Jebel Ali, who tries Meydan for the first time.

“We took Mersaal for a little look around last week and, speaking freely, he didn’t work as good as he did this morning at home,” said Jebel Ali-based trainer Costa on Tuesday. “We are trusting that he was just getting his bearings for having a first look at the track. If he brings this morning’s work then we are expecting another dominant performance.”

Costa also runs Tahdeed; the Tamarkuz gelding having run sixth when carrying 60.5kgs, from stall 14, over course and distance last time out.

“Tahdeed will appreciate the drop in weights as he’s a neat [small] horse,” said Costa. “The Conditions book was looking like he would not run again until January so this race is a little afterthought but he’s giving no reason at home to not run.”

Watson runs three in the race, with Dobbs electing to ride Silver Jubilee, winner last time out at Jebel Ali. Hitchcott rides Papacito, who makes his UAE debut having won two of his three starts in the UK, while Oscar Chavez partners course winner Scabbard.

“Scabbard has been a bit below form but training well, said the trainer. “Papacito seems a very nice horse but with both him and Silver Jubilee, it all depends on how they take to Meydan’s dirt surface.”

The final race on the card, the JAFZA Handicap over 2000metres, sees Uruguay Grade I winner Ajuste Fiscal top the weights as he aims for a first local success. The six-year-old was third at Jebel Ali on his seasonal debut and this trip should suit him better.

“Ajuste Fiscal seems to have improved from his Jebel Ali run,” said Olascoaga. “He needed that as a season starter. He should be happier back on the Meydan surface, where he’s had his best results in the past.”

An open line-up for the finale includes recent Jebel Ali winners Verboten and Tapitution, while the well-bred Saqqara King could be one to watch with apprentice Connor Planas on board.

The seven-race card begins with a 1200metre Conditions event for Purebred Arabians, in which course winner Fakhr looks the one to concentrate on.

Tickets start at AED10 and are available from dubairacingclub.com