Dubai: Happy Dubai has emerged as a surprise option to continue trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe's successful run at the Dubai World Cup meeting, following the below-par performances of his flag bearer Al Shemali.
A four-year-old colt by Indian Ridge, Happy Dubai has revelled in a demanding campaign that has seen him make six starts in eight weeks, to score a hat-trick of wins at the 2011 Carnival.
His most recent victory came in the 1000m Emirates Airline Trophy on Super Thursday and it has decisively put him in the frame for the $1 million (Dh3.67m) Al Quoz Sprint (Gr 3) on March 26.
"He has impressed us so much since his first Carnival win that we decided to train him with the sprint in mind," said Al Raihe, who is the most successful UAE-based trainer at the event, with eight wins.
"He's has a good turn of foot and gives 100 per cent every time he runs. Now the plan is to give him a short break and then freshen him up before the big race."
Owner Ahmad Al Felasi can now prepare his quotes should his horse win his fourth race in three weeks.
Last Thursday the colt gave evidence he will come to the World Cup meeting full of promise after winning a cracking contest against the Walter Swinburn-trained Monsieur Joe and another British raider Invincible Ash, trained by Michael Halford.
Perhaps Swinburn's horse was the unlucky loser, having suffered a brief setback in the final run, before he finishing strongly to fall half a length short of the winner.
Happy Dubai was also providing Royston Ffrench with his first winner at this year's Carnival and the jockey shared some emotional scenes with Al Raihe and his popular assistant Jilani Siddiqui.
"This feels so great, he's such a wonderful horse to have in the stable," said Siddiqui. "He's everything his name says and we're happy that we have something solid to look forward to on the big day."
