O'Donohue hits hat-trick

Trainer Doug Watson and jockey Daragh O’Donohoe notched a treble on the opening night of the UAE racing season at Nad Al Sheba.

Daybreak Dancer claimed the six-furlong handicap for the trainer-and-jockey team while Dawn Piper was on the mark in the nine-furlong heat and Jonquil in the seven-and-a-half-furlong contest.

O’Donohoe is relishing his opportunities with Watson, adding: “Martin Dwyer will be out next month but until then I should be able to ride a few winners.

“There are some nice horses in the yard and hopefully a good season is in store.”

Watson, who also sent out Ragad to win the the concluding seven-furlong handicap under Richard Mullen, added: “It is a good start anyway and I was hoping the horses were fit enough for the first night. Let’s hope we can continue.”

South African apprentice Keagan Latham opened his UAE account at the first attempt when picking up a spare ride on Musabah Al Muhairi’s Knight of Dance in the seven-furlong maiden.

Leatham said: “It is nice to get a chance on the track as I am here to ride work for Herman Brown mainly.

“He has some lovely horses for the Carnival and Ryan Moore will not be out until next year.”