The Meydan Racecourse is to host the first of a total of 19 race meetings for the 2020-21season, including 11 Racing at Meydan fixtures where the primary focus is on local horses and trainers.
The aim is to welcome racing back to the iconic venue, with a firm focus on the UAE Government’s health and safety regulations. Thorough sanitization, thermal screening of attendees and social distancing will be a part of measures undertaken by the Dubai Racing Club.
The first Racing at Meydan meeting will be held this Thursday and includes a six racecard sponsored by Emirates, featuring a 1400m conditions race, the Emirates Airline, for 3-year-olds. Thursday’s aforementioned feature has attracted a select field of seven and appears wide open with a case to be made for each of the septet.
Commanding wins the 2019 Jebel Ali Port (Pic credit: Erika Rasmussen, Dubai Racing Club)
Doug Watson saddled a Jebel Ali treble last Friday and relies on Rio Angie, the only filly in the race and the mount of Pat Dobbs. A daughter of Honor Code, she made a winning debut in a 1400m fillies’ maiden almost exactly a year ago, before finishing third in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial over the same course and distance. Then, over 1600m, she was fourth in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas itself.
Watson said: “She is in great shape at home and working very well. She had some wind surgery after her last season and that seems to have helped her.
On the competition Watson added: “Obviously she is taking on the colts for the first time, but we think she will go well from a nice draw in an open race.”
