Having fought her way back into the saddle from a freak accident nearly two years ago that nearly spelled the end of her career, jockey Chantal Sutherland is warmly embracing the opportunity to partner with her old mate Super Chow, a rough chance in a white-hot renewal of the six-furlong Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) at Meydan April 5.
Sutherland, 49, wintered in Dubai this year, working with trainer Bhupat Seemar and his team at Zabeel Stables.
"It's been amazing. Dubai is such a beautiful place," Sutherland said March 31 at Meydan trackwork. "Bhupat is world-class, he's an incredible trainer and manager, and the whole team is just so fun to be around."
On Saturday, Sutherland reunites with the 6-year-old Super Chow, aboard whom she has won five times from six rides—four in stakes company—for trainer Jorge Delgado. To say she is looking forward to it would be an understatement.
"It's a huge opportunity and I am grateful to (owner Lea Farms) Bill and Paula Cosgrove and to (trainer) Jorge (Delgado) for his loyalty and being such a great supporter of mine," she said.
Though the task at hand is daunting, facing the likes of defending winner Tuz and Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Straight No Chaser, Sutherland is confident her mount is as good as he can be.
"Super Chow is doing really well, I breezed him, he's strong, healthy and really happy and I guess that's all we can really ask for," she said. "Just have to see how it all plays out."
Sutherland said that Super Chow, who made the Gulfstream Park Sprint his eighth career black-type success, has plenty of personality to match his considerable ability.
"He is a character," she offered. "He is very serious when he wants to be, but he can be a little bit playful and you have to be careful because he'll try (to) bite sometimes. He's nice, he loves to roll in the sand, he does everything in stride, never panics, never gets too strong.
"He does his job well. He likes to be around people, he does have a masseuse that comes around and he loves cuddles. But when it comes to work, he's straightforward and has a lot of grit and a lot of heart."
Once the racing season concludes in the Emirates, Sutherland will head back to America to ride first-call for Delgado at Monmouth Park in New Jersey.
"I've kind of been on holiday here, but I look forward to riding full time again and working hard for people," she said.
A strong Golden Shaheen run from Super Chow would make for the perfect ending to her working holiday.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
