US$20m The Saudi Cup
Carmel Road (USA) and Power In Numbers (USA) – Talal Bin Shareem, racing manager for owner White Stable, had an update on the Saudi Arabian-trained pair.
“They’re in good condition,” he said. “The trainers are happy with them. It will be a tough race but I think we have a good chance on Saturday.”
Crown Pride (JPN) – Hacked on the training track.
“It was just a light exercise and he is in good form,” Yohei Kotobuki, a stable representative, said.
Derma Sotogake (JPN) – Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up breezed for 1000m on the dirt track with Christophe Lemaire on board.
“I asked Christophe to gallop him for 1000m and asked him [to go] a bit stronger for the last 400m. I am happy to see how he moved, and I think the track condition should suit him better than last year,” trainer Hidetaka Otonashi said.
“He is in great form,” Lemaire said. “I did not ask him too much in the gallop, but he had momentum and made ground by himself. There is no issue about the track surface with him.
“The horse has got more mature, stronger I think. He knows the place so he was more focussed on what he had to do this morning. He was very smooth, reacting very well when I put him a little bit under pressure. He was actually very good. He looks happy here so I’m very confident.
“He was still young last year as a 3-year-old, as a 4-year-old he’ll get better and better. He didn’t run much last year, of course they were tough races, but he’s the kind of horse who keeps himself safe, he still has many things to show us. The field will be very strong but he’s a tough horse, he’s able to jump well from the gates and take a position, he can keep a strong pace.”
Hoist The Gold (USA) – Trainer Dallas Stewart was fresh off the plane to see his horse, who had been out on the dirt track at 7am as he cantered for 2000m ridden by exercise rider Pedro Velez. Stewart arrived at the track – via a direct flight from New York and quick drive to King Abdulaziz Racecourse – shortly after training.
“I think I’ve got a nice horse,” Stewart said. “He looks great and he’s got some credentials. He’s not a big impressive individual but he’s got that heart and he’s got a great pedigree. We think he’s a one-turn specialist and this should suit. He looks wonderful, he’s such a good traveller, and a smart horse.”
Isolate (USA) – Visiting the King Abdulaziz Racecourse dirt for the first time on Wednesday morning, RRR Racing’s Doug Watson-trained Isolate had a routine 2000m canter before quickly returning to the quarantine area. The son of Mark Valeski was noticeably eager to get on with it and then appeared to slightly shy away on the turn, having a good look at the media.
“He hasn’t done much for two days,” Watson said. “He had a right to be a little bit fresh.”
Exercise rider Oscar Chavez, a UAE-based jockey, was aboard the dual Group 2 winner.
“He felt good and fresh,” Chavez said. “He felt like he was at home. He’s as good as he can be. Fingers crossed.”
Lemon Pop (USA) – Galloped for 1000m on the dirt track with assistant trainer Toshihiko Hokari on board.
“I think his gallop was as good as what he had done before or might be better than before. He had a great reaction to my asking him and moved beautifully in good balance. He had lot left in his tank,” Hokari said.
Meisho Hario (JPN) – Galloped for 1000m working in tandem with compatriot Studley.
“He sharpened up from the gallop with Stadley. He usually is not keen to move by himself but I think he has no concern for his condition. I hope this will be a good preparation and get him fitter for Saturday,” assistant trainer Atsushi Obayashi said.
National Treasure (USA) – Bob Baffert’s assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes has been on hand to assistant in preparations.
“He has settled in great and was very happy on the training track this morning,” Barnes said. “He will be back on the dirt track on Thursday.
“He has matured into a fine horse. He likes to be on the pace, that’s clear, but he was able to back off a little when he won The Pegasus last month. If there is a speed battle in this race we feel he will still be able to get the right trip under a strong rider [Flavien Prat].”
Back in America, trainer Bob Baffert has been pleased with reports.
“The horse is doing very well,” Baffert said. “Post position is very important with all the speed in the race. They still have to bring their A game.”
Saudi Crown (USA) – The Faisal Mohammed Alqahtani-owned and Brad Cox-trained Pennsylvania Derby and recent Fair Grounds winner returned to the dirt track after an easy day on Tuesday.
“Saudi Crown had his normal routine gallop this morning,” Cox’s son and assistant Blake said. “He breezed on Monday and we were very happy with how he worked. We’re looking forward to Saturday.”
Senor Buscador (USA) – Joe Peacock Jr’s homebred Grade 2 winner left the quarantine barn just after 7am and had a routine canter around the dirt track at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Wednesday.
Exercise rider Oscar Rojero was aboard. Trainer Todd Fincher will arrive on Thursday evening and attend training on Friday morning. The Pegasus World Cup Invitational runner-up will school in the paddock on Wednesday afternoon.
“Let me tell you, the horse gave me a lot more than I expected,” Rojero said. “I don’t have words to describe how good the horse went this morning. He was spectacular. Like an angel in heaven.
“Every stride, the way he takes ahold of the track and switches leads in training and then finished his training. He was relaxed and mature. You would have to be in the saddle to understand how the horse was communicating to me how good he was feeling.”
Ushba Tesoro (JPN) – The Noboru Takagi-trained horse jogged and had a hack canter in the training track before he galloped for 1000m on the dirt track under jockey Yuga Kawada.
“Everything has been going well so far and he is feeling good as usual. Today’s gallop was to get the feel for him of the ground, and he had a steady reaction towards the end of the gallop,” Takagi said.
Kawada added: “He showed his usual habit of hesitating to move when he got on the dirt track, but once he started to move, there was no issue of his run. I recognised that he kept good condition and felt good. It was a nice gallop.”
White Abarrio (USA) – Once again caught the eye on Wednesday morning as he cantered around the dirt track under the watchful eye of trainer Rick Dutrow.
“White Abarrio is good, he has been really good,” Dutrow said. “It took him a day or two or three to get over the trip but yesterday was the best day he has had as far as his feed tub goes. He had been eating good up to that but now he is burying everything and we are very happy with him.
“I feel if he is on his game and runs his race, he is going to be tough to beat. This race, a mile and an eighth [1800m], around one turn… I feel as if he were to wake up in the morning and we were to ask him, ‘Hey babe, what do you wanna do for a US$20m race?’, he’d say, ‘Make it a mile and an eighth around one turn’.
“When we knew we were coming here I knew we didn’t need to breeze him. Right now, yesterday and today, I feel he is over the trip and he’s himself now.
“I feel by not breezing him it gives him more steam. We do plan on breezing him the day that he is in [Saturday]. I know the dirt track is closed but we did take him to the training track twice to jog him and I’m going to take him over and jog him Friday, then on Saturday we are going to blow him out through the lane there.”
US$2.5m Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap
Big Call (USA) – The French trained galloper went for a steady canter on the dirt track. “He is in great form, in fact I think he is physically in better form than he was last year. He feels at home here and is gliding over the track. He will have a little blow over 300m tomorrow,” his trainer Christophe Ferland said.
Diva Donna (FR) – The Julien Carayon trained 6-year-old mare went for a good 800m canter on the dirt track.
“She didn’t travel that well over here. She lost a bit of weight and is only just beginning to acclimatise. She was quite supple this morning, which was great to see,” Carayon said.
Echt (JPN) – “We galloped this morning. He is in better form here than he is in Japan,” a stable representative, said.
Giavellotto (IRE) – Scuderia La Tesa Limited’s contender trained over the King Abdulaziz Racecourse dirt on Wednesday morning at 7am, having an easy circuit canter of the 2000m course and quickly returning to the quarantine barn.
Trained by Marco Botti, the 5-year-old son of Mastercraftsman is the top weight, carrying 62kgs, and enters off a six-month layoff since a good third in York’s Lonsdale Cup.
“He travelled really well we are happy with the horse,” Botti said. “He went on the track this morning for an easy canter around and seems happy. He’s one of those horses who can get a little bit warmer, but wearing the hood helps him.
“We finished the season last year a bit early because he doesn’t want soft ground. We thought about running at Ascot in October, but the ground was too soft. Since then, the prep has gone smoothly and he had a racecourse gallop the other day. He’s in good shape and his weight is the same as when he won the Yorkshire Cup last year.”
This will be the four-time winner from 12 starts’ second venture to the Middle East, following a ninth in last March’s Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan. Since then, his form has improved and his rating in kind by 3lb.
“That was the first time he travelled when he went to Dubai and we didn’t know how he was going to take it,” Botti explained. “Then we were drawn awful and outside, and everything went against him, but we did learn a lot and now we know he would travel well moving forward.”
Oisin Murphy takes the mount from post 8.
“Obviously there’s a few pounds between top and bottom weight and it’s not really much,” Botti said. “I’m not sure how strong the Japanese horses are but I know my horse and he stays well and is doing well. Ideally, even though you would rather carry equal weights, he’s a top-class horse and gets a top class jockey in Oisin.
“He seems to run his best form when he’s on a left-handed track like York and hopefully finds a nice spot in the race behind a good pace. He’s an uncomplicated horse and, even though he doesn’t have a big turn-of-foot, he can win this race.”
Iron Barows (JPN) – Walked in the training track at the quarantine stable.
“He walked flexibly after he galloped yesterday. I think he is in great form at the moment,” assistant trainer Shoritsu Kurono said.
Libyan Glass (JPN) – Stayed in the quarantine barn
“I am satisfied with how he is,” assistant trainer Yusaku Oka said.
Roberto Escobarr (IRE) – The Mick Appleby-trained Roberto Escobar stepped out onto the turf track to do his final piece of work ahead of Saturday’s assignment.
“He worked this morning over a mile [1600m] and everyone is happy so he will have an easy day tomorrow and canter again on Friday,” Appleby reported. “He has drawn in stall 3, which is a good draw for him as I’d imagine the plan will be to jump out and make the running.”
Skazino (FR) – The French raiders all went out together on the dirt track on Wednesday morning. The Patrice Cottier trained 8-year-old, who had a busy season last year, went for a steady canter before quickening down the straight.
“He had a good trip over and is in good form right now. He is very well and very calm. He seems to be happy to be here,” Paola Moriconi, his rider and partner of assistant trainer Cedric Rossi, said.
Tower Of London (IRE) – Led stable companion Luxembourg in cantering a lap of the dirt track on Wednesday morning at a steady pace.
“Tower Of London has been off a good while but he is working very well,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said from Ireland. “They had a couple of easy days but they had a lovely canter on the track this morning.
“We always thought the trip would suit him well and this type of race would suit him well. I know he has plenty of weight but he is a classy horse and we think being ridden a little bit patiently and gently that we’ll see a big run from him.”
US$2m Howden Neom Turf Cup
Astro King (IRE) – “He has been here since the weekend and this is my first time seeing him since he left home,” Claire Kubler, co-trainer, said. “When he went to Bahrain in November he took the travelling well and he seems to have done the same again here. He had a nice canter on the dirt there and we are very happy with him.”
Calif (GER) – “Calif is very classy and he didn’t disgrace himself in the Bahrain International,” trainer Fawzi Nass said.
“He finished ninth beaten five lengths by some very good horses. It’s an even bigger ask here but he has had the time to acclimatise in Bahrain since we bought him last fall and he’s in better form now.
“Hopefully that will help him. My only real worry with him is that he may be more of a nine-furlong [1800m] horse. That said, the tighter track will definitely be to his advantage.”
Hearts Concerto (JPN) – “He was nervous as it was his first time on the turf track. It was a good gallop, and he will be fine on the race day,” Ryo Takei, his trainer, said.
Jack Darcy (IRE) – Visited the dirt track for a canter.
“I’m pretty pleased,” Thady Gosden, co-trainer, said. “He has shipped well. It is his first run for us so it is something of a learning curve but he was bought for this race and things have gone to plan so far. His form when trained by the Coles was very good, especially in France when he handled an ease in the ground well, but it looks like he goes on any surface.”
Killer Ability (JPN) – Hacked on the training track and galloped on the dirt track.
“It was a good first experience on the dirt track. He moved well,” Shoma Shimozawa, a stable representative, said.
Luxembourg (IRE) – Multiple Group 1 winner Luxembourg trotted a lap and cantered a lap of the dirt track on Wednesday morning. The 5-year-old followed stable companion Tower Of London.
“They had a couple of easy days but they had a lovely canter on the track this morning,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said from Ireland. “The facilities are great, the track is lovely and we are looking forward to him.
“I was kind of surprised at the way he got over the track, the track looks absolutely beautiful really and I think everyone is really exciting for the weekend.
“We think the grass race will suit Luxembourg well. We think we haven’t seen the best of him yet. We are hoping from now on all through this year and next year that he is really going to be a horse to look forward to.”
Spirit Dancer (GB) – “He will have come forward for his run in Dubai a month ago and he has shipped in well from there,” trainer Richard Fahey said. “He was very good in Bahrain and we’re hoping for the same again.”
US$2m Diriyah Gate Development Authority Obaiyah Arabian Classic
Hiab Al Zaman (USA) – The Grade 1 winner looks to improve upon an eighth in last year’s race and a third timein the Al Maktoum Challenge R1 (G1) behind star stablemate RB Rich Lyke Me at Meydan.
“Hiab Al Zaman is much better than he was last year here because he came out of the race with pneumonia,” trainer Fawzi Nass explained.
“He gets blinkers for the first time. We’re trying to figure out a way to have him find his best form because we know he’s very talented and hasn’t really shown the Group 1 form he did in America. Hopefully the blinkers will help him focus, because he seems to pull himself up when someone comes to him. He gets discouraged.”
US$2m Saudi National Bank 1351 Turf Sprint
Aguri (JPN) – “He was slightly tired after the travel however he got used to the environment in Saudi Arabia and is relaxed now. Christophe Lemaire rode in his gallop today and he worked well,” Akira Usui, a stable representative, said.
Annaf (IRE) – Alongside stable companion and Red Sea Turf contender Roberto Escobarr, Annaf went on the turf track on Wednesday morning as he galloped over 1200m.
“Annaf worked over six furlongs [1200m] on the grass this morning and everyone is happy,”Appleby said. “My two horses will have an easy day tomorrow and canter again on Friday. Annaf didn’t get as good a draw as Roberto Escobarr but I’m not too worried. I think he’ll be able to get across from 12 and slot in behind the leaders hopefully.”
Art Power (IRE) – The rather unheralded British Champions Sprint Stakes winner Art Power continued his preparations under jockey David Allan.
“Art Power seems well. He is fit, well, and in good fettle,” trainer Tim Easterby said. “He just did an easy canter and he’ll just do that every day here leading up to the race. They are fit when they come here because if they aren’t you are in trouble! ”
Bathrat Leon (JPN) – Stayed in the quarantine barn
“He is feeling great and looked good this morning,” assistant trainer Yusaku Oka said.
La La Christine (JPN) – Hacked on the training track and galloped on the dirt track.
“She was looking around as it was her first time on the dirt track. It was a good breeze and she is happy too,” Shoma Shimozawa, a stable representative, said.
Matilda Picotte (IRE) – Mick Molloy is representing trainer Kieran Cotter in Saudi Arabia and reported the latest.
“She was a bit stirred up out on the dirt track yesterday,” Molloy said. “She hadn’t been out properly in a few days and she got a bit warm but she’s grand out there this morning, more settled. She’s in super nick overall. She’s drawn out wide but we’ve noticed a lot of the market leaders have wide gates and out filly has a lot of early speed.”
Mysterious Night (IRE) – The Charlie Appleby-trained runner shipped in from Dubai on Tuesday and had a light morning on the dirt track.
“Mysterious Night did his final bit of work on Tuesday morning before he flew to Saudi Arabia and he travelled well,” Appleby said. “The team are happy and he will take it easy there for the week.”
Win Greatest (JPN) – Jockey Masami Matsuoka gave him a fast breeze on the dirt track before a gate schooling session.
“The jockey asked him a bit more strongly towards the end of the gallop and he answered very well. I can feel how happy he is now,” assistant trainer Manabu Kobasako said.
US$1.5m Boutique Group Saudi Derby
Forever Young (JPN) – Stayed in the quarantine barn
“Everything has gone well and I have no concern for his form at the moment,” the assistant to trainer Yoshito Yahagi, Yusaku Oka said.
Oasis Boy (ARG) – Stepped out on the dirt track for the first time on Wednesday morning and cantered one lap.
“Oasis Boy is looking good,” trainer Julio Olascoaga said trackside. “He is just cantering around here as he has done all his work at home. He travelled here well but it was a little longer than expected. I think it took six hours from stable to stable and that is something to improve for the future but the horse is OK and is fine.”
Satono Phoenix (JPN) – “He galloped well this morning and is very relaxed,” Masato Nishizono, his trainer, said.
US$1.5m Sports Boulevard Riyadh Dirt Sprint
Jasper Krone (USA) – “Galloped and moved well. It will be just hand walking tomorrow morning,” Daishi Hidaka, a stable representative, said.
Keiai Dorie (JPN) – Went for a 1000m breeze on the dirt track with Christophe Lemaire
“He reacted very well at the homestretch,” Lemaire said.
“It will be just a 60 minutes of hand walking tomorrow,” Akira Murayama, his trainer, said.
Remake (JPN) – “We hacked on the training track this morning. He is in good form,” Masafumi Matsuda, his stable representative, said.
Tuz (USA) – The Bhupat Seemar-trained Tuz hacked a lap of the dirt track on Wednesday morning having arrived from Dubai on Tuesday.
“He travelled here very well and he’s nice and relaxed this morning,” trainer Bhupat Seemar’s wife Caroline said. “He ate up everything and he just did a nice little easy hack there and he’ll do a little bit more normal tomorrow morning. We can’t ask for anything more from him so all is good.”
US$1.5m Ministry of Culture Al Mneefah Cup
Joe Star (FR) and Soko (FR) – Trainer Helal Alalawi’s contenders made their first appearance on the King Abdulaziz Racecourse dirt on Wednesday at 8am with their conditioner on hand to oversee the final touches.
The pair had shipped in from the UAE on Tuesday afternoon.
“They had a steady canter today, really steady, and picked up from the finish line and ended at the same point,” Alalawi said. “As I saw, they were travelling good and it looks like the turf course is very good.”
Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Soko was second in the 2022 Al Mneefah Cup and enters off a second in the HH The Sultan Cup in Oman, while National Stables’ Joe Star won the UAE Arabian Derby in December before an 11th last time in the HH The President Cup Prep – both at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
“There are many good horses in the race, especially Tilal Al Khalediah and Mutbahy Athbah,” Alalawi continued. “Those two are very talented and multi-Group winners. That said, I think the ground will suit my horses and we can finish in the top five with both horses.”
Alalawi, splitting up his National Stables stars, elected to run Joe Star here and RB Kingmaker in last week’s HH The President Cup, winning said Abu Dhabi Group 1.
“I’m a little more excited about Joe Star than Soko,” he said. “Soko is a front runner and they can bother him more easily. Joe Star stays in the back and finishes well. That’s at least how I feel today about it.”
Moshrif (FR) – The Thomas Fourcy trained French raider came out onto the dirt track, where he did a steady canter before accelerating over the last 200m. “He doesn’t need any work, he did everything at home and is ready to run,” his trainer said.
US$500k NHC Saudi International Handicap
The Covex Kid (IRE) and Zagato (GB) – After winning this race in fine fashion with Qaader in 2023, trainer Fawzi Nass returns in repeat attempt with a new pair of strong contenders.The pair went out at 8am to the King Abdulaziz Racecourse dirt for an easy canter of the 2000m course before returning back.
“Zagato is very consistent and is a better horse than The Covex Kid,” Nass declared.
“We are hoping for a big run from him. He is the same calibre as Qaader and I think he’ll be thereabouts. The Covex Kid ran a good race finishing third in the prep in Saudi Arabia and I think the horse that beat us [Grocer Jack] is rated highly and he’s gone on to run in the Neom.
“It’s a good race and he should run well. Actually, I’m confident both will run well, but I do think the race is a little more suited to Zagato and The Covex Kid may be stretching himself a bit over the [2100m] distance.”