It is fair to say that Haatheq goes well in the UAE, as five wins, 10 second places and 25 third places would indicate.
And coming off a creditable second behind Soft Falling Rain in the Godolphin Mile in the Dubai World Cup meeting in his last start, Haatheq starts as favourite in Thursday night’s featured Conditions race at Meydan.
The six-year-old son of Seeking The Gold is the highest-rated (113) horse in the seven-runner field and one of the two entries of the Emirati trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe, both in the silks of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid.
Haatheq is the choice of Dane O’Neill, the retained jockey of the owner, while Royston Ffrench, the stable jockey, is on-board Mustaheel, the second-highest rated (106) in the field.
On paper, it seems the two Al Raihe runners will battle it out for the Dh125,000 prize with the recent winner Ramonti Flash, and Busker, who was fourth behind him over the course and distance on November 7, to be the main threats.
“Haatheq is tough, consistent and versatile,” O’Neill said. “I am really looking forward to getting back on him and we have to be very hopeful.”
Wayne Smith, who rides Ramonti Flash, said of the three year old colt: “He surprised us last time and is certainly improving, but this is a big task. At least we know he is fit and well.”
Busker rounded off the season by winning back-to-back races, the first over the course and distance and should strip fitter with that first run under his belt.
In the fifth race, a 1,200m handicap, has drawn several Carnival hopefuls, including Innocuous, the mount of Smith.
The six-year-old son of Zafeen was runner-up to his stable companion Chasing Halos at Meydan’s first meeting, two weeks ago.
Ernst Oertel, the UAE champion trainer, introduces Brazen to the UAE. The three-year-old Kyllachy colt won three times in the UK, and the South African said is “one for the Carnival”.
James Doyle rides for the Al Asayl trainer because the champion Jockey, Tadhg O’Shea is retained to ride for Thistle Bloodstock, for whom Satish Seemar saddles Scotland Forever, another three-year-old making his local debut.
Jimmy Long, the owner of Scotland Forever, is hopeful that he has a fresh Carnival contender on his hands: “We really like this horse and we think there is a lot of improvement to come from him.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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