Raasel starting out on what could be fruitful spell in Dubai

Molly Hunter
January 5, 2023 4:00 pm

Major target could be in the works on World Cup night.

Mick Appleby’s Raasel will make his Meydan debut with a run in the Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash on Friday.

The chestnut’s career followed a steep upward curve last year as he signed off 2021 an 86-rated handicapper and ended 2022 contesting Group One sprints in England, Ireland and France.

Along the way he won the Listed Achilles Stakes at Haydock and the Group Three Coral Charge before being beaten just a neck in the Group Two King George at Goodwood.

Unplaced in his latter three runs but not far away against the leading five-furlong horses, the Showcasing gelding has enjoyed a short break before setting sail for Dubai and the Dubai Dash, part of the Carnival series of meetings which culminates with Super Saturday on March 4.

“He’s travelled over there really well and he’s been training well, he seems to be in good order. Hopefully the track and the ground will suit him,” Appleby said.

Raasel (right) winning the Coral Charge (Nigel French/PA)

“I think the favourite in the race (Charlie Appleby’s Man Of Promise) will take a lot of beating and is a very good horse, but hopefully we should have a good each-way chance.

“We gave him a nice break ready for Dubai, so he goes there fresh and in good order. The ground should be spot on for him over there.”

In 19 starts Raasel has run over a five-furlong trip 18 times, his sole attempt over six furlongs resulting in a third-placed Newmarket run when trained by Marcus Tregoning as a Shadwell-owned two-year-old.

A return to six furlongs could be on the agenda, however, with Appleby keen to see if he can stay an extra furlong with a view to aiming him at the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night.

Mick Appleby's Raasel (centre) 3th — Mick Appleby’s Raasel (centre) (Tim Goode/PA)

He said: “He’s goes on Friday and then there’s only one more five-furlong race, which is the Blue Point. He’ll probably go for that, or possibly have a go over six furlongs in between.

“We’d like to see if he could get six furlongs out there because on the World Cup night the sprint is over six furlongs, it’d be nice to try him in the Carnival to see if he does get it and if he does we could possibly stay for the World Cup.”