Karis Teetan is optimistic about Sing Dragon’s chances as the six-year-old makes his overseas debut in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal (1200m, dirt) on Saturday night at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Scheduled for 11.25pm (HKT), the race presents the Hong Kong-trained runner with a challenging but exciting new stage.
The Written Tycoon colt arrives in Dubai with strong recent form. A five-time winner on Sha Tin’s dirt, Sing Dragon finished second at Class 2 level in December and impressed in a recent trial behind the brilliant Ka Ying Rising and the undefeated rising star Salon S. Jockey Teetan is confident his mount can make an impact.
“I felt like his trial here behind Ka Ying Rising and that horse of Frankie Lor’s (Salon S), who has won three in a row, was good,” said Teetan. “His form was good when he left Hong Kong. Chris [So] is very happy with the horse’s condition, and it has travelled well. If he can handle the track, I think he will be in with a shout.”
While Sing Dragon has previously travelled to Hong Kong from Australia after five starts, this marks his first international start as a Hong Kong-trained horse. Teetan noted the encouraging reports from the stable and the horse’s positive adaptation to the Dubai surface.
“It was nice to hear that Chris is very happy with the horse’s condition and he has travelled well,” Teetan added. “The morning rider said he looks like he is handling the track okay. It’s going to be a good experience.”
The Mahab Al Shimaal features a competitive field, including Group 1 winner Tuz and in-form sprinter El Nasseeb. Tuz claimed the 2024 G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen over the same course and distance, while El Nasseeb has won two of three starts this season. Sing Dragon is considered an outsider for his first Group race test, but Teetan is unfazed.
“I’ve had a good look at the race and studied it. Tuz is a dirt specialist there, and it is going to be interesting,” Teetan commented.
Sing Dragon’s rating of 90 in Hong Kong, earned across 23 starts with five wins, belies his ability over 1200m on dirt, where he has already shown consistency. Saturday’s race will also mark his first start for trainer Chris So, following a recent stable switch by his owners, The Rotary Club of Gd-HK-MA-GBA Syndicate. For Teetan, it is his first ride in Dubai.
“It’s my first time riding in Dubai. I’ve been on the track and watched a couple of races on holiday there. It’s going to be awesome to ride there,” he said.
Four contests from Dubai’s Super Saturday card will be simulcast in Hong Kong, beginning with Sing Dragon’s G3 Mahab Al Shimaal challenge from barrier one, scheduled as S3-1 at 11.25pm (HKT).
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