Aez Alkhatir (KSA) will make his first appearance for new connections on Friday when he takes on 14 rivals in the SAR150,000 JCSA Sprint Cup over 1,200 metres at King Khalid Racecourse in Taif. The gelding will arrive for the principal contest with a recent Alhada Cup success behind him and will remain under the care of trainer Homoud Alshamari.
Formerly owned by Qemat Twaiq Stable, Aez Alkhatir will now represent the White Stable of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz & Sons. Fahad Alfouraidi will again take the ride as the gelding attempts to build on the form that will have established him as one of the leading names in the field. His recent record will provide a solid platform as he prepares to begin a new chapter in different colours.
Aez Alkhatir will bring particularly relevant form into the JCSA Sprint Cup, having finished runner-up in the Sarawat Cup during Saudi Cup weekend. He will now renew his rivalry with Aba Almae’aly (KSA), representing the Red Stable of Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz. Aba Almae’aly will have finished eighth in the Sarawat Cup before returning on August 28 to record a victory in a conditions race.
The two runners will share an intriguing form connection through Ana Aljonubiyah (KSA). Aez Alkhatir will have finished a length ahead of the filly when she placed third behind him on his latest start, while Ana Aljonubiyah will have finished only a quarter of a length behind Aba Almae’aly when taking second place. That close comparison will add another layer of interest to what will promise to be a competitive 1,200-metre contest.
The Red Stable will also have Thamer Almoghtarah (KSA) among its representatives. He will have already demonstrated his ability in Riyadh with a December victory and will add further depth to a strong group of contenders. Alklothani (KSA) will also command attention, with Adel Alfouraidi booked to ride the runner who will have finished fourth in the Sarawat Cup before returning last month to win the JCSA Sprint Cup Prep.
JCSA Sprint Cup Field Will Feature Strong Recent Form
Friday’s other principal event will be an Arabian Horses Open carrying SAR120,000, with Ershan (FR) set to headline a competitive field. He will have finished runner-up twice during the current season, including his latest appearance when he took second place in the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup Prep. His consistency will make him one of the runners to follow closely as the field prepares for another demanding test.
Ershan will face Angad Al Khalediah (KSA), who will have finished runner-up in the King Khalid Racecourse Championship Prep. The runner will have gradually regained his form through three outings in Taif this campaign after competing at a demanding level last season, including an appearance in the Group 1 Obaiyah Arabian Classic. His experience at a higher level will add further substance to the contest.
Saturday’s feature will provide another strong race, with the SAR120,000 Open attracting 19 runners. The Red Stable and owner Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah will account for seven of those runners, giving the stable a substantial presence in the field and ensuring that several familiar names will line up together.
Ajwadi (GB) will appear to be the principal hope among the Red Stable runners. The Muhammad Aldaham mount will be top-rated and will seek a third consecutive victory after ending last season in Riyadh with success in the North America Cup. He will then have returned to Taif to win a conditions race by nearly four lengths, with stablemate and reopposing runner Moswaat (GB) finishing third.
Amichi (IRE) will also return for the Red Stable after finishing second behind Ajwadi on August 15. William Tell (FR) and Wuqood (GB) will join him after finishing fifth and sixth respectively behind Ajwadi, while Riyadh Angel (IRE) will complete the Red Stable representation among the principal runners mentioned for the race.
Allah Maae (KSA) will be the sole White Stable representative on Saturday and will be ridden by Rayan Altoairsh. He will have finished fifth in the Taif University Cup and will now face another demanding assignment against a sizeable and competitive field.
The weekend programme at King Khalid Racecourse will consequently bring together several runners carrying compelling recent form, with Aez Alkhatir likely to attract particular attention as he begins life for his new connections. His previous performances, combined with the presence of established rivals, will ensure that the JCSA Sprint Cup will provide a closely watched test over the 1,200-metre distance.
The JCSA Sprint Cup will see Aez Alkhatir face 14 rivals over 1,200 metres at King Khalid Racecourse in Taif, with Aba Almae’aly, Alklothani and Thamer Almoghtarah among the notable contenders.
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