International raiders aiming for another big pay day in Saudi Arabia
Bob Baffert joked that US$20 million (approx. AUD$24.45m) was enough to “get him off the couch” before last season’s Saudi Cup (1800m) and the US Hall Of Fame trainer holds a strong hand in this year’s running of the world’s richest race, which takes place at Riyadh today.
Some of the finest dirt horses in the world were sent to Riyadh for the inaugural running 12 months ago and the race befitted its costly status, with Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) narrowly denying Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute).
The headline act for today’s Saudi Cup is the Baffert-trained favourite Charlatan (Speightstown), winner of the Malibu Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) at Santa Anita and first past the post in the Arkansas Derby (Gr 1, 9f) before being disqualified, who is set for a fascinating clash with Pegasus World Cup (Gr 1, 9f) winner Knicks Go (Paynter).
Prix du Jockey Club (Gr 1, 2100m) hero Mishriff (Make Believe) – second in the Saudi Derby (1600m) on this card last year for John Gosden – leads the European challenge, while the Juddmonte-owned Tacitus (Tapit) would be a notable winner after the death of major owner and Saudi prince Khalid Abdullah last month.
The race has attracted runners from all over the world, including Chuwa Wizard (King Kamehameha), trained in Japan, Military Law (Dubawi), who makes the short journey from the UAE, and Bahrain International Trophy (2000m) winner Simsir (Zoffany).
The Saudi Cup headlines an eight-race card, with a mixture of races on the turf and dirt, and organisers have bucked the global trend by boosting the total prize-money on offer from US$29.2m (approx. AUD$37.1m) to US$30.5m (approx. AUD$38.8m).
One name very familiar to fans of Australian racing who will make an appearance on the valuable undercard is Prince Of Arran (Shirocco).
The perennial Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) placegetter returns for a second tilt at the Red Sea Turf Handicap (3000m) having finished third in the corresponding race last year.
Frankie Dettori will be on board the Charlie Fellowes-trained eight-year-old for the first time and connections are hopeful he can add to his tally of six wins after being handed a seemingly favourable barrier at Wednesday’s draw ceremony.
“I’m delighted with Prince Of Arran’s draw in stall four,” Fellowes said after learning where his runner would jump from. “He has travelled over perfectly and had a nice blow this morning on the track. Fingers crossed for a smooth few days.”
Last year’s winner Call The Wind (Frankel) will once again be among Prince Of Arran’s opposition, along with Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid), who is racing outside Europe for just the second time since finishing down the field in the 2018 running of the Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m).