Whisky Baron put in a smart gallop at Meydan yesterday in preparation for the Gr1 Jebel Hatta Sponsored by Emirates Airlines on Dubai World Cup night this Saturday.

Kevin Shea, former jockey and now television presenter, is in Dubai with Mike de Kock and Brett Crawford for Saturday’s big meeting.

Shea spoke to Whisky Baron’s rider, Irishman Colm O’Donoghue, after the gallop and his big race jockey said, “He’s in great form. He has improved from his last run and is moving great and feels good. He did 23.9 secs hard-held for the last 400m. I think I had four more gears. I am looking forward to Saturday.”

The $300 000 race is over 1800m on turf and is off at 6.20pm South African time.

Shea flew to Dubai for this weekend’s Super Saturday race meeting as Dubai has a special place in his heart as he has had some wonderful success there including a close second aboard Lizard’s Desire in the 2010 World Cup. “It is lovely to see all my old mates again,” said Shea

Shea spent some time at the De Kock yard with assistant trainer Trevor Brown and one of the yards work riders Divan Neethling, formerly from the Duncan Howells stable here in South Africa.

Shea reports that all of Noa From Goa, Light The Lights and Janoobi look particularly well. Whisky Barron made a smart debut at Meydan and he looks set for a massive run come Saturday.

By Warren Lenferna