There are Group race winners galore on an excellent card at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday, where the Listed Dubai Creek Mile is the feature at the seven race National Day meeting.
First run in 2014, the Creek Mile is an early prep for the G2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night; Heavy Metal having completed that double in the 2017/18 season. The 1600metre event has attracted a field of 12, including Thegreatcollection, who is remarkably running in it for a fifth time. The Doug Watson-trained eight-year-old won it in 2020 and has been third twice, including 12 months ago.
Watson runs three others in the race, including Prince Eiji, the mount of stable jockey Pat Dobbs. The six-year-old began his local career with an excellent short head second to Kafoo a year ago, but failed to build on that, ending his season with a tenth-place finish on the turf.
Stablemate Golden Goal (pictured) had his best season in 2021/22, winning Group 2 Maktoum Challenge Round 2 in January, while Everfast is effective fresh, having won on his local debut on this card last year, before two excellent placed efforts in Group company.
“All four seem in good form for the Mile, says Watson. “It was a tough choice for Pat [Dobbs] between Prince Eiji, Golden Goal and Everfast. The draw of 11 probably took Everfast out of the running and Golden Goal has a 2kg penalty from winning Maktoum Challenge Round 2 last year. Eiji really works well and the summer off has really helped strengthen him up.”
