Horse racing in focus: Richard Mullen does not have to teach an old Reynaldothewizard new tricks

There is plenty left in the tank of old stager Reynaldothewizard.

That is the opinion of jockey Richard Mullen, who is looking forward to the 10-year-old sprinter making his return to the racecourse in the Dubai Stakes at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday.

Reynaldothewizard has been off since he denied old rival Krypton Factor by a neck in a driving finish to the Al Shindagha Sprint in February, with Speed Hawk back in third.

All three renew rivalry in the $US150,000 (Dh550,900) dirt event on Thursday night, although Speed Hawk enjoys race fitness after he was left for dead on turf by the impressive Ertijaal last week.

Reynaldothewizard was forced to miss the opportunity of reclaiming his 2013 title in the Dubai Golden Shaheen in March because of an abscess on his throat.

Trainer Satish Seemar considered running him in the $US2m dirt dash, but estimated at the time that at 80 per cent fit his charge would not have done himself justice.

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As a result Reynaldothewizard has enjoyed the time off and is fresh as a veteran of his vintage can be ahead of what could transpire to be a battle royal with Muarrab, who he beat by nearly four lengths in the Listed contest 12 months ago.

“He may be ten years of age but he still thinks he is a two-year-old,” Mullen said.

“I ride all of his fast work and he looks well, moves well and is bucking and kicking, which is all you need to worry about.

“When you see him in the mornings you would never pick him out as a Group 1 winner, and we deliberately work him with the lesser lights in the yard to give him confidence.

“As he isn’t the best work horse there is a concern then that he may not be as good as before, but the only way we are going to find out is by racing him.

“He does have a good record fresh and he obviously will improve for the run.”

This will be Reynaldothewizard’s 18th run at the UAE’s leading racecourse, and such is his renown that last month Philip Parham, the British ambassador, paid a visit to Zabeel Stables and was granted an audience with the bay gelding.

He is one of only a handful of horses left running in the yellow and red silks of Zabeel Racing International after the death of Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed last year.

Surfer ran fifth in the first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge last week, while Tiz Now Tiz Then also runs tonight in the Mina Rashid. Spin Cycle has yet to be seen this season but is also a ten-year-old.

Reynaldothewizard faces a a tricky draw in gate eight, two in from Krypton Factor who is the other former Golden Shaheen winner in the field and who is drawn widest in gate 10.

Muarrab, who has won eight of his last nine starts for Musabah Al Muhairi and is reportedly better than ever, is perfectly placed to emerge from the second gate.

Seemar’s other runner, Indianapolis, ran Shared Belief, one of America’s best thoroughbreds in 2014, to within three lengths when trained by Bob Baffert.

Prior to that run, Indianapolis was sluggish at the start to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita two seasons ago.

He clearly has talent, but needed the run badly when thrashed by Muarrab last month over course and distance.

Dark horse status is conferred on Swedish raider Let’sgoforit, who has won his last three on the dirt of Jagersro Racecourse and makes his debut in Dubai for first-time trainer Bodil Halencreutz.

Blog Source: http://www.thenational.ae/sport/horse-racing/horse-racing-in-focus-richard-mullen-does-not-have-to-teach-an-old-reynaldothewizard-new-tricks