Watson to ‘Isolate’ Al Maktoum Mile record

Ed Marnane

Tyler Gaffalione is reunited with Isolate in today’s Al Maktoum Mile, nine months after steering the Doug Watson-trained five-year-old to an impressive all the way victory in the Godolphin Mile, on the Dubai World Cup undercard.

UAE champion trainer Watson has a good record in the Al Maktoum Mile, winning two of the last four renewals and the Group 2 contest is the highlight of a cracking nine-race card at Meydan on Friday.

Isolate, owned by RRR Racing, must concede weight to his nine rivals under a 1kg penalty for winning the Godolphin Mile. He’s a horse with bags of early speed and is fancied to start his campaign with a bang. He will take plenty of beating.

By his lofty standards it has been a quiet year for Charlie Appleby, the Godolphin trainer has trained plenty of winners but success at the highest level has been scarce, especially in the Europe.

Appleby, who can boast a smart strike-rate at Meydan, fields a strong team in the Al Rashidiya, the Group 2 showpiece on turf. The race, run over 1800m, has been dominated by Appleby in recent years, winning three of the last four editions. It looks significant that William Buick has chosen to ride progressive Measured Time, ahead of last season’s beaten favourite Ottoman Fleet who finished third.

Winner of three of his four races, the son of the mighty Frankel has the benefit of a recent run, having lost his unbeaten status when second to Lion’s Pride in the Listed Racing TV Floodlit Stakes at Kempton last month. He has more to offer and demands plenty of respect on his Meydan debut.

Ottoman Fleet, the mount of James Doyle, has been off the track since finishing a battling third in the Manhattan Stakes in July, his Grade 1 debut. He’s effective at Meydan and if primed and ready to roll off a five-month break, he should go well.

Alfareeq, shock winner of the Jebel Hatta in March, is the only Group 1 winner in the line-up. Trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, he looks vulnerable under a 2kg penalty on his first appearance since finishing less than five lengths behind Lord North in the Dubai Turf in late March.

Real World, representing Saeed bin Suroor who has won the Al Rashidiya four times in the past seven years, has been bang out of sorts all year until finishing a respectable fourth in the Bahrain International Trophy last month. He’s a useful performer on his day, proven at Meydan and can’t be overlooked under top French rider Christian Demuro.

The in-form Michael Costa, who saddled four winners at Jebel Ali on Saturday, can win the two-year-old 1400m fillies contest, Race 3, with the Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum-owned Lahfaty. She created a big impression on her racecourse debut at Meydan, slamming Fatinah and four others in the manner of an exciting prospect. The US-bred filly, by Mitole, has the assistance of Ben Coen, the Irish rider who is operating at impressive 29.5% strike rate in the Emirates this season.

William Knight-trained Frost At Dawn leads the international challenge and is one to consider on her UAE/dirt debut. She built on a pleasing debut at Newcastle when winning at Chelmsford, making all under Luke Morris in a minor event. Rated 88, she’s bred for dirt being by Frosted, a Grade 1 winner on dirt in the US and Meydan.

Pat Dobbs, who returns after a short spell on the sidelines with a back issue, rides San Donato for his main employer, Doug Watson, in the Listed Business Bay Challenge, Race 5. The Lope de Vega gelding arrives in good order, having made a solid comeback in the National Day Cup earlier in the month. Ridden by Dobbs, he ran on strongly in the closing stages but was just denied by Laneqash in a driving finish, a performance that deserves to be upgraded having been drawn out widest in stall No 16 and endured a tough trip.

Shadwell-owned homebred Danyah caused a massive shock when winning the Al Quoz Sprint and looks an obvious threat on his first outing of the season. Jim Crowley’s mount, winner of two of his three races on Meydan’s turf track, is penalised 3kg and may struggle to give weight to San Donato.

Michael Costa holds a strong hand in the 1200m handicap on dirt, the final race, saddling three of the 12 runners. Ben Coen has chosen to ride the unbeaten Mozahim, winner of a maiden and handicap at Jebel Ali. The switch to Meydan is a query, while a poor draw (No 12) tempers enthusiasm.

Costa has booked Mickael Barzalona to ride the unexposed Taakeed, winner of handicap over the course and distance last month. He made a mockery of his opening mark of 75 on his handicap debut when easily beating Nyaar in a good time. He makes plenty of appeal.

It’s hard to ignore the claims of lightly raced Thawban, Costa’s third runner, under Antonio Fresu. He impressed on his Meydan debut last month, defeating Mr Kafoo and Ranaan in a 1200m handicap. He’s open to further improvement on just his fourth career start.

Earlier on the card, 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Mischief Magic can bounce back after a poor run in the Listed Golden Rose Stakes in the Ertijaal Dubai Dash. He never looked happy round the tight turns and undulations of Lingfield’s all-weather track. He will appreciate the switch to turf and is the horse to beat.

Equilateral and Ladies Church, both dropping down from Group 1 level, merit respect, along with Thunder Of Niagara, a much improved sprinter last season.

BEST BET

Race 3 No 4 Lahfaty

VALUE BET

Race 2 No 10 Thunder Of Niagara

BEST SWINGER

Race 3: 4-Lahfaty and 2-Frost At Dawn

JACKPOT

(Races 6 to 9)

R54

Leg 1: 2, 9, 11

Leg 2: 1, 2, 5

Leg 3: 3, 9

Leg 4: 3, 7, 8