Hong Kong’s champion ROMANTIC WARRIOR will break from gate 3 in Saturday’s US$20 million Saudi Cup.
The world’s highest-earning horse has drawn global racing interest since his arrival in Saudi Arabia and was the center of attention when given a preparatory look at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse parade ring on Wednesday afternoon.
Following the draw ceremony at the Cultural Village later in the day, trainer Danny Shum and jockey James McDonald discovered their position on the track as ROMANTIC WARRIOR aims to translate his exceptional turf form onto Riyadh’s dirt surface.
“We’re happy with it,” McDonald said after his wife Katelyn selected the number on stage. “We didn’t come here with any expectation of a particular draw. He seems to be going really well on the dirt, all the team are very happy with him, and my horse has really good gate speed.”
Classy Japanese challenger FOREVER YOUNG, back in Saudi Arabia 12 months after his victory in the US$1.5 million Saudi Derby, has continued to impress but was dealt a tougher challenge with a wide draw in gate 14.
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi remained composed, stating, “I haven’t worried about the draw too much, but I’d prefer an outside gate to inside.”
RATTLE N ROLL, trained by Kenny McPeek and representing owners Sharaf Mohamad Alhariri and Lucky Seven Stable, was a strong winner of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup last month and will start from gate 7.
“We like the seven, that’s great,” McPeek said. “He’s got come-from-behind pace, we’re excited to have the horse here, and we feel like we’ve got a bit of an advantage because he already won here.”
“This year the timing worked out really well. He came back bigger, stronger, and better, and this will be a race that I think will suit him ideally.”
In-form WALK OF STARS was allotted gate 6, while French ace FACTEUR CHEVAL, who finished first and third, respectively, in the Al Maktoum Challenge in Dubai on their latest starts, is in gate 12.
Trainer Bhupat Seemar appeared pleased with WALK OF STARS’ draw, stating, “He’s improved every run, and I think there’s still more to come. I just hope he can take in the environment—he needs to get used to the place, but he’s doing very well.”
Japanese trainer Noboru Takagi saw his two contenders receive inside draws. USHBA TESORO will break from gate 1, with Takagi remarking, “I think he’ll handle it well; he’s the type of horse that comes from behind.”
His other runner, WILSON TESORO, drew gate 4, prompting the trainer to say, “His condition has been improving, so I’m looking forward to his run. I think it’s a good draw for him.”
The other Japanese contender, RAMJET, was assigned gate 9. Trainer Shozo Sasaki was satisfied, stating, “I’m happy about the draw. He traveled well, and we look forward to the race.”
The remaining contenders in the field include AL MUSMAK (10), DEFUNDED (11), EL KODIGO (13), INTENSE FOR ME (2), WAIT TO EXCEL (8) and WOOTTON’SUN (5).
