By Duane Fonseca
Emirati conditioner Salem bin Ghadayer knows he has a special one on his hands after declaring UAE 1000 Guineas winner Mimi Kakushi as the best fiilly he has ever trained. Speaking soon after the 3yo City Of Light filly romped to a four and a half length victory in the 1600m Listed event at Meydan last Friday, Bin Ghadayer was full of praise for Mimi Kakushi, who he believes is better than his 2020 Group 3 UAE Oaks heroine Down On Da Bayou, also owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Dubai Crown Prince.
In the UAE 1000 Guineas, Mickael Barzalona settled a keen Mimi Kakushi along the outside in the shadow of Doug Watson’s pacesetting Awasef. Halfway through Mimi Kakushi started to stretch out and just before hitting the straight, she was led to the front and went smoothly all the way to the line pulling further away with each stride.
Bin Ghadayer was impressed after seeing her improve on her win a month prior in the trial that was contested over 1400m. The Oaks is scheduled for 17 February and runs over a 1900m strip, which he feels will be ideal given the time to rest in between. Bin Ghadayer said: “Really from the second she arrived at the stable, she has been absolutely brilliant and she was brilliant today.
The UAE Oaks is in four weeks and that is good enough time for a break. “I think she will give more in the Oaks and will have a good chance. I think she will do well, she’s just perfect in training and she’s progressed over time in training and at the racecourse. Mimi Kakushi is the best filly I’ve ever trained.
Bin Ghadayer has another interesting candidate among the colts: Tiger Nation, a 3yo son of Tamarkuz he trains for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. Unbeaten in two career starts, Tiger Nation dominated a 1200m maiden at Jebel Ali and then scored wire to wire in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial over 1400m at Meydan. His next start will be in the Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas on 10 February. Bin Ghadayer added: “He is a very good horse, just see how he has won his races. The way he won the trial gives me a good feeling about the main event. He is in top form and I believe he can do better.”
