Dubai: Former UAE champion handler Satish Seemar has paid a glowing tribute to his evergreen stable flagbearer, Reynaldothewizard, following the ten-year-old’s stunning victory in a high-quality renewal of the Listed Dubawi Stakes at Meydan racecourse on Thursday night.
The son of Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winning stallion Speightstown, who was recording his third success in the 1,200m contest and ninth overall at Meydan, is now on course to have another shot at the $2million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), a race that he won in sensational fashion three years ago.
The Zabeel Stables veteran showed that he has not lost his competitive edge at an age when most horses have been happily retired, when outsprinting Doug Watson’s Cool Cowboy and long-time leader Letsgoforit, from Sweden.
“Unfortunately in the new ear of racing we never get to keep horses this long, but fortunately for us, we are so lucky to have horses like him at our stable,” said Seemar, who had earlier in the evening sent out 11-year-old Tiz Now Tiz Then to win the opener at the Carnival’s second meeting.
“This is what makes it so special. This is what makes us come to work early each day with a smile on our faces. This is what we live for.”
Seemar revealed that the feedback he has received from the work riders and grooms who look after Reynaldothewizard at Zabeel has been nothing short of positive, and as a result has encouraged him to aim him at the Golden Shaeen once again, a race that he missed last year due to a setback.
“The guys tell me back home that he is better than ever,” said Seemar. “But he’s a horse that likes a typical break between races so we won’t overdo it and perhaps just give him one more race on Super Saturday [Mahab Al Shimaal (G3), March 5] and then go to the Dubai World Cup meeting.”
Meanwhile, leading UAE handler Doug Watson looks to have a filly of immense potential on his hands following Polar River’s hugely exciting victory in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial over 1400m on the dirt.
A wise bargain purchase by Russian businessmen Valentin Bukhtovaro and Evgeny Kappushev at the Tattersalls September Yearling Sales at Newmarket, the Carnival was always the intended target for the daughter of WinStar Farm stallion Congrats.
Acknowledging that she was the best three-year-old filly that he had every trainer Watson said that the Listed 1000 Guineas on February 11 would be her next target.
“The way that she ran today, I believe she will get further and the mile will not be a problem,” said Watson, who was saddling his 28th winner of the season. “We might even look at the UAE Oaks [March 3,1900m].
Godolphin won the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial with James Doyle and Steady Pace winning for trainer Saeed Bin Surour.
“He basically tried to pull himself up close home,” said Doyle. “We certainly have learned that he will face the kickback as he has had to today and he has shown a really good attitude. He is a decent horse and certainly our main Guineas contender.
“He has handled the 1400m well enough and, hopefully, the 1600m of the Guineas itself will not be a problem.”
