Meydan Group win for Al Tariq

Oasis Dream's Al Tariq registered his second Group win (and third stakes win) since his transfer from France to the UAE.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 22nd January 2022:

He appeared to find a new lease on life during last year's carnival after joining trainer Doug Watson's string, and his purple patch continued on Friday evening with a comfortable two length victory in the Gr.3 Dubawi Stakes.

Taking advantage of the rail draw to grab an early lead, Al Tariq was put in tighter quarters by Freedom Fighter and Bochart as they moved to save ground on the run into the turn. Al Tariq allowed Freedom Fighter to poke his head in front rounding the bend as Bochart dropped away, but the blinkered Al Tariq was traveling visibly better as they passed the quarter pole, and he shrugged off that rival to draw clear and win by two lengths.

Campaigned initially in France with Pia Brandt, Al Tariq won just one of 10 starts there before being expatriated to Dubai. His lone start in 2020 was a second in a Jebel Ali handicap, but he
enjoyed a busier campaign last year when scooping the Gr.3 Al Shindagha Sprint and Listed Jebel Ali Sprint in four outings. Trainer Doug Watson commented: "Al Tariq is a lovely and consistent horse who just enjoys his racing. I knew having the rail was a bonus and I guess we will stick to dirt though we had been thinking about trying him on turf."