Whisky Baron put in a smart gallop at Meydan on Wednesday in preparation for the Gr1 Jebel Hatta Sponsored by Emirates Airlines today..
Gr1 Sun Met winner Whisky Baron
Warren Lenferna writes that Kevin Shea, former jockey and now a television presenter, is in Dubai with Mike de Kock and Brett Crawford for the big meeting.
Shea, who won the Jebel Hatta in 2012, spoke to Whisky Baron’s rider, Irishman Colm O’Donoghue, after the gallop and his big race jockey said:
“He’s in great form. He has improved from his last run and is moving great and feels good. He did 23.9 secs hard-held for the last 400m. I think I had four more gears. I am looking forward to Saturday.”
Master of Hounds (Kevin Shea) wins the Jebel Hatta in 2012 (Photographer: Andrew Watkins)
The $300 000 race is over 1800m on turf and is off at 18h20pm South African time.
Shea flew to Dubai for this weekend’s Super Saturday race meeting. Dubai has a special place in his heart as he has had some wonderful success there including a close second aboard Lizard’s Desire in the 2010 World Cup. “It is lovely to see all my old mates again,” he said.
Shea spent some time at the De Kock yard with assistant trainer Trevor Brown and one of the yard’s work riders Divan Neethling, formerly based with the Duncan Howells stable.
Shea reports that all of Noah From Goa, Light The Lights and Janoobi look particularly well.
Whisky Baron made a smart debut at Meydan and he looks set for a massive run come Saturday.
-www.goldcircle.co.za
