Trainer Doug Watson discusses MIDNIGHT SANDS, PREMIER STAR and others in lead up to Super Saturday

Trainer Doug Watson discusses following horses in lead up to Super Saturday :

• PREMIER STAR
• CANVASSED
• MIDNIGHT SANDS
• GOLDEN GOAL
• KIMBEAR
• EKHTIYAAR
• FANAAR
• SPEIGHT’SPERCOMETE

Doug Watson on Premier Star who makes his UAE debut in the G3 1200m Mahab Al Shimaal: “He got here on Christmas day and to the stable ten days later. Everything has gone smoothly, he had a really good piece of work at Meydan two weeks ago. He came back and did a nice bit of work here on Monday and he is ready to go. He is a big horse and might need (the run) it a little bit but I think he is pretty good.

“He drew five (post) and I imagine he will go forward without leading, and we will see how gets on over here. It is daytime racing so it will be like it is back home in America. There will not be too many lights that time of day. I think everything suits for him to run a nice race. I think he might need the run because he has been off for a while, but good chance he will not either.”

On Canvassed also in the Mahab Al Shimal: “I am really impressed with his last win. He travels well, he didn&rsquot draw great here, he drew 12, but I think he has got enough tactical speed to put himself in the race. The way he closed last time, if he can replicate that here I think he will be right there.”

On Midnight Sands who runs in the G3 Burj Nahar: “He has trained just as well as when he was here before. He didn&rsquot draw too well, but he is really quick out of the gates and Pat will get him in a nice position and you never know if he will need (the run) or not because he has been off for a while. Hopefully he will run a big race, he has won I think five in a row here, he likes the track. I am little worried about the lay-off but I think he will make a good account of himself and be ready for World Cup night.”

On Kimbear running in the G3 Burj Nahar: “I think he is getting a little older and wiser, and if you watch the race back (on his last run) Tadhg O&rsquoShea went out in the lead, and we were pushing to get back in the mix, and Tadhg slowed the lead and from there he got a bit disinterested. Hopefully he has a nice clean run on Saturday. He is in great shape at home and I am hoping for a big run.”

On Motafaawit, Fanaar and Ekhtiyaar in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint: “I think the extra furlong should help Motafaawit. Fanaar has had a little more time to freshen up. Ekhtiyaar is our big chance and he just needs a clean run. We put the blinkers on him, and Jim always thought those would help him, but it was the opposite and he was a bit too keen early. With those (blinkers) off, he has been doing really well at home. I think he will run a big race.”

The interview is conducted by Craig Evans, Race Caller with the Emirates Racing Authority.

B-Roll of horses discussed available under separate release on this site.

Broadcast quality .mov available for download (see attachments).