Haqeet (USA) returns to centre stage on Friday as the King Saud Cup winner bids to complete a Listed double in the SAR 300,000 King Abdulaziz Racetrack Champion, the feature contest on a competitive card at King Abdulaziz Racetrack.
Representing the White Stable of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the American-bred has arrived at the meeting in commanding form. He has won two of his last three starts, most notably producing a decisive performance last time when drawing clear by almost five lengths. His only recent reverse came against Sayyah (USA), the subsequent Red Sea Turf Handicap trial winner, a result that has aged well in the context of current form lines.
The King Abdulaziz Racetrack Champion brings together a familiar group of proven performers, including Thundersquall (GB) and Scotland Yard (USA), who were fourth and fifth respectively in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup qualifier two weeks ago. That race was dominated by Mhally (GB), who is set for international duties, and the strength of that form adds depth to Friday’s highlight over 2000 metres.
Further interest comes from the Red Stable of Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz, which is doubly represented by Almaan (USA) and Wootton’sun (FR). The latter brings established credentials, having finished ninth in last year’s Saudi Cup, though he will be looking to leave behind a modest showing in the same Custodian feature last time.
Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah, owner of Mhally, is also represented in the King Abdulaziz Racetrack Champion through Pretty Flag (IRE), who finished a respectable fifth in last week’s UK Cup and now steps into one of the meeting’s most anticipated contests.
Earlier on the card, the domestic Group 3 King Abdulaziz Racetrack Champion for Purebred Arabian Horses assembles a full field of 20 runners. The spotlight falls on Foo De Pine (ITA), who arrives off a sharp success in the Sprint Championship Cup and reunites with Alexis Moreno. The depth of the field ensures a searching test for all involved.
Race 10 is the SAR300,000 King Abdulaziz Racetrack Champion for fillies and mares over 1200 metres, where Snafiya (IRE) looks well placed to regain winning momentum. Her excellent third in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint Qualifier suggested she remains in peak condition, and this assignment offers a suitable platform for a return to the winner’s enclosure.
Three SAR300,000 Final Champion of the Racecourses contests punctuate the programme, including the ninth race for older horses over 2000 metres. Arabian Thoroughbred Horses contest the preceding 1800-metre event, while four-year-old fillies take centre stage in race seven over the same distance.
Attention then turns to Saturday, the final day of action before the Saudi Cup meeting on February 13 and 14. The highlight is the SAR300,000 Prince Saad Bin Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Cup over a testing 2400 metres, featuring a compact field of six.
Almaqam (KSA), another representative of the White Stable, has thrived over this course and distance, winning two of his last three starts and dominating the Al-Jouf Region Governorate Cup by more than 12 lengths. He again meets Ibn Laboun (KSA), who finished third behind him on that occasion.
Saturday’s programme also includes the Prince Mohd bin Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Cup for three-year-olds, where Al Tharb (USA) seeks to bounce back after finishing fourth to Saudi Derby contender Al Haram (IRE) in the 2000 Guineas. He faces Ashwas (USA), who has since returned to winning form with a decisive success over 1400 metres.
Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah fields a strong hand in the domestic Group 3 Japan’s Cup, with Gharamy (IRE) and Dance Desire (GB) renewing rivalry after finishing first and second in the Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture Cup earlier this month. Stablemate Uncle (GB) holds top rating in the Ministry of Culture Cup over 1600 metres.
The most valuable contests of the week take place on Thursday, with two JCSA-sponsored sales races for horses sold at auction in 2024. Both the sixth and seventh races on the card carry prize money of SAR650,000, underlining the depth and quality of the programme leading into Saudi Cup week.
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