Leading Emarati trainer Salem bin Ghadayer, fresh from saddling big favourite Heavy Metal under Mickael Barzalona for $200,000 Gr.3 Firebreak Stakes at Meydan, looks set to continue his strong recent form and go for gold in The Dubai World Cup 2018.

Bin Ghadayer, heads Fazza Racing, the private stable of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. This has been a staggering season for the partially blind former Endurance rider, and with 26 wins just this season, so far. That is more than his previous campaigns since the 40-year-old set up with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed’s backing with just 28 horses for the 2015 Carnival.

In an interview with The National, when asked what is the secret to his success he replied: “I have a good team. We work as a family. The horses are in good health and are sound. If they have the quality they will show this in their races. We try hard. We work hard.” The trainer also said. “It’s a dream for any trainer just to participate in the World Cup. We would pay just to have that chance.”

With Heavy Metal, Bin Ghadayer is now looking at a possible tilt at the Godolphin Mile on World Cup night. Frankyfourfingers could join him.

MickaelBarzalona and Salem Bin Ghadayer ruled the opening night of the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival which was highlighted by the $250,000 Gr. 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1, over 1600m on dirt, won emphatically by Heavy Metal, for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who was present.

Heavy Metal had won on his seasonal reappearance three weeks prior over the same course and distance in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile. He was also victorious on three occasions at the 2017 carnival over the same track and trip.

Earlier, stable companion Frankyfourfingers, winner of the 2015 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (G2), proved in a class of his own in the $135,000 Longines Conquest Classic, a handicap over the same 1900m dirt course and distance as that big race win.

In the Gr.2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 Heavy Metal landed a hard won third, beaten by Thunder Snow and North America at Dubai’s flagship racecourse.

In the Gr.3 Firebreak Stakes however, from halfway, there was only ever going to be one winner with big favourite Heavy Metal, who was never threatened under MickaelBarzalona. He was able to register his sixth course and distance victory emphatically for trainer Salem bin Ghadayer and owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

Heavy Metal is out of the South African-bred dam Rock Opera, a Champion juvenile filly in her native land. She has bred two winners so far and also has a yearling colt by Shamardal.

Heavy Metal also won the G2 Richmond Stakes as a two-year-old when in training with Mark Johnston and the G3 BurjNahaar last season.

Heavy Metal stable mate Montsarrat (IRE) was an impressive wide margin winner of the Jebel Ali Stakes.

All three horses look set to be invited to world racing’s most valuable night back here on March 31. Bin Ghadayer can hardly wait.