Doug Watson continued his fine start to the new UAE racing season at Meydan, winning two races including the night’s feature, a 2,000-metre handicap, with Etijaah.
After settling well off a frantic early pace set by Sam Hitchcott, Etijaah eased into contention before hitting the front in the final 200m to win.
“Hopefully he is still improving with his racing,” said Watson, who saddled a double win at Jebel Ali last Friday.
“These conditions really suit him and with such a light weight we were hopeful of a big run from him.
“Sam deserves a lot of credit because they went very quick up front and he was happy to just take his time.”
Etijaah is owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, Minister of Finance, and Watson immediately supplied the UAE’s leading domestic owner with another winner when Nathr routed his opposition in a 1600m handicap.
With Dane O’Neill riding for his main employer, Nathr was always travelling like the winner and his jockey barely moved a muscle throughout the contest.
It was an emphatic success for the four-year-old on his third start in the UAE and doubling his career tally after a sole success in England.
“We thought he was capable of something like that,” Watson said.
“It was a weak race but he did very well and we hope he could be a lot better than this.”
Champion trainer Musabah Al Muhairi opened his account for the new campaign when Ajraam posted a reasonably comfortable success in a 1,200m handicap.
In doing so, he initiated a treble for Sheikh Hamdan and double for O’Neill, while Ajraam recorded a third career victory and first in the UAE.
Winner of both his first two starts in the UK, this was his 10th start locally and a first success since June 2013.
“I was always happy in the race,” O’Neill said.
“It always felt as though we had things under control and when I pressed the button he picked up nicely.”
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