By Duane Fonseca
Having brought Doug Watson a third Dubai Creek Mile triumph with an impressive finish at Meydan Thursday night, Prince Eiji looks set for a tougher assignment on his next racecourse appearance. And his conditioner is keen to throw him in the deep end and get him a spot in the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 on the opening night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.
That was Watson’s early assessment, however, one that flowed in the wave that followed Prince Eiji’s success from a position where he did what he had to do off the pace. Watson was truly impressed with the manner of the win, Pat Dobbs bidding for the lead and then giving up his front position to Dane O’Neill and Danyah trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri for Shadwell.
Dobbs yielded then, but enjoyed a splendid position along the rail and seeing space open up turning for home, he urged his 5yo gelded Dubawi partner, who stretched himself to take up the running with a little over 200m left and power home to a length and a quarter win. Danyah was second, with Atletico El Culano third for new trainer Julio Olascoaga.
Watson said: “I thought Pat rode a very good race. I think he wanted the lead, but I think Dane on the Shadwell horse wanted it so he took him off it and when he picked up the bit, Pat knew he wanted it and he knew he had a horse under him after that. “Last year Prince Eiji didn’t do too well running from behind, but it’s good to know that we have that horse that can sit off the pace and come home and we’re really impressed with him.”
The Al Maktoum Challenge R1 over course and distance on 6 January, for now, is Prince Eiji’s next assignment, with Watson declaring: “I believe he would next go in the first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge which would be on the first night of the carnival. “I thought that was an impressive run from him in the Dubai Creek Mile and there’ll be a few more from us running there (Al Maktoum Challenge R1) too.”
Watson saddled a total of four in the Dubai Creek Mile, with 2020 winner Thegreatcollection taking fourth, Everfast fifth and the 2022 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 winner Golden Goal, eighth despite carrying two extra kilos. All four of them ran well here and the one that finished eighth, I think it was Golden Goal, was carrying two extra kilos than the rest of them, so we’re looking forward to the carnival coming up and we’re just happy to see all four of them in decent form and running well.
“I don’t know if Prince Eiji can progress from a mile to something more, but we will talk to his owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum and see what he wants to do, but definitely the first goal would be the Al Maktoum Challenge R1.”
