Colour Up returns to winning ways at Meydan with a late challenge
Colour Up won the 1,200m dirt opener in 1:13.99 for jockey Patrick Dobbs and trainer Doug Watson.
Sayed Hashish’s Colour Up returned to winning ways at Meydan on Friday, 6 November, taking the Emirates Airline opener of the 2026–2027 Dubai Racing Carnival. Patrick Dobbs rode the eight-year-old for Doug Watson in a conditions race for Thoroughbreds aged three and older.
A decision inside the final 100m
Colour Up progressed from midfield and sustained his challenge to pass Ma Yetal near the finish. He recorded 1:13.99 for 1,200m on dirt, against the runner-up’s 1:14.09, with an official margin of half a length. Echo Point completed the first three in 1:14.73.
Performance reading
The late decision highlights the distribution of effort as well as the finish margin. The official notes describe Ma Yetal racing keenly early and through the middle stages, while Echo Point travelled wide without cover for much of the race. Those circumstances explain the shape of the contest, but cannot alone predict the order in a rematch.
1. Colour Up
Trainer: Doug Watson · Jockey: Patrick Dobbs · Owner: Sayed Hashish
He advanced smoothly from midfield around 600m out and sustained his run to lead inside the final 100m. The performance points to a patient ride and a decisive late challenge.
2. Ma Yetal
Trainer: Ahmad bin Harmash · Jockey: Connor Beasley · Owner: Hamdan Harmash
He raced keenly near the pace and went on around 600m out, but lost the lead inside the final 100m. His early speed and his ability to sustain it to the line should be assessed separately.
3. Echo Point
Trainer: Musabbeh Al Mheiri · Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa · Owner: Naser Askar
He raced wide without cover for much of the contest, was outpaced around 600m out and made some late progress into third. The wide trip provides context but does not establish the sole cause of the margin.
Watch the race
He advanced smoothly from midfield around 600m out and sustained his run to lead inside the final 100m. The performance points to a patient ride and a decisive late challenge.