Saudi Cup 2024: We Did A 1200m Gallop On The Dirt Track Today, we are happy

The Saudi Cup Crown Pride (JPN) – “We did a 1200m gallop on the dirt track today. He moved and accelerated well. We are happy,” Yohei Kotobuki, a stable representative, said.

Derma Sotogake (JPN) – Cantered on the dirt track. “He has recovered well from the travel and he is very fresh. Christophe Lemaire will ride his gallop today,” Masatoshi Segawa, a stable representative, said.

Hoist The Gold (USA) – Dream Team One Racing Stable’s runner cantered 2000m on Tuesday morning on the dirt track at 7am with exercise rider Pedro Velez aboard.

“Hoist the Gold is feeling very good and travelling over the track really comfortably,” Velez said.

“Right now he’s liking the environment. I think the one-turn race is what he wants and last time in the (two-turned Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational), he didn’t like that. This is what he wants and I think he’s going to run big.”

A former jockey, Velez has been aboard some of trainer Dallas Stewart’s top runners as a morning rider “on and off” since 2005, including Breeders’ Cup champion Forever Unbridled and Classic-placed Grade 1 Macho Again. Hoist the Gold reminds him of the latter.

“He’s a lot like him with how he trains and runs,” Velez said. “He’s not very big, but he has a big heart, just like Macho Again, who was one of the best horses I’ve ever been on. I think he has a good chance on Saturday.”

Isolate (USA) – Scheduled to land in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday afternoon, making the short flight from Dubai’s Red Stables, where eight-time UAE champion trainer Doug Watson is based.

Owned by RRR Racing of His Highness Sheikh bin Humaid Al Nuami of Ajman, the dominant Godolphin Mile and Al Maktoum Mile winner in his last two starts finished up his prep with an easy five-furlong breeze on Sunday at Meydan Racecourse – a move his conditioner described as “solid”.

Lemon Pop (USA) – The Japanese dirt champion jogged and hacked before he stretched out his legs for one lap on the dirt track.

“He has been getting familiarised with the new surroundings here and has eaten up very well. He cantered nicely and has been the same as how he is at home. He keeps good condition,” assistant trainer Toshihiko Hokari said.

Meisho Hario (JPN) – Warmed up in the training track before he cantered easily for a lap and a half on the dirt track.

“He was a bit tired for a few days after his arrival but his condition has recovered a lot and he appears to be back to how he is. He will have a fast gallop on the dirt track tomorrow,” assistant trainer Atsushi Obayashi said.

Power In Numbers (USA) – “It was a tough to choose between Power In Numbers and Carmel Road in The Saudi Cup – both won their prep races very well – but I just came down for Carmel Road because of how he was just so impressive,” jockey, Camilo Ospina said.

“But Power In Numbers will be close to the pace and he is a very good horse. He has a lot of class and I know he is in top form. I think this will be the strongest ever Saudi Cup race.”

National Treasure (USA) – Remained in the barn on Tuesday.

Saudi Crown (USA) – Remained on the training track on Tuesday.

Senor Buscador (USA) – Joe Peacock Jr’s homebred had an easy morning on Tuesday, walking at the quarantine barn.

Exercise rider Oscar Rojero is pleased with how the six-time winner from 17 starts is adapting to his new environment on the other side of the world from his Stateside base.

“He’s doing great and looked good walking today,” Rojero said. “He worked 800m yesterday and just relaxed today. He will head back to the dirt track tomorrow.”

Trained by New Mexico-based Todd Fincher, the son of champion Mineshaft exits a pair of seconds in high-profile races, the Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park in January and Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct in December.

Upset winner of the San Diego Handicap over fellow The Saudi Cup starter Defunded in August, he has competed admirably over no less than 10 racecourses.

“He really likes the track and I can feel how he steps on the ground,” Rojero continued. “He feels comfortable and moves over the surface really good. I feel like every day that goes by, he gets better and likes it more and more.

“He likes the cushion of the track and every day he amazes me because he seems to like the place even more than the tracks back home. I can feel how happy he is and that makes me happy.

“I like his chances. It is a tough race, but this horse’s eyes are wide open, he’s eating great and keeps going forward.”

Fincher will arrive on Thursday evening and attend training on Friday morning.

Ushba Tesoro (JPN) – Last year’s Dubai World Cup winner jogged for 400m before he cantered for 2000m on the dirt track.

“He has been relaxed and getting used to the new surroundings since he has arrived. He has a great balance with his conformation and he looks great,” assistant trainer Masakazu Fukami said.

White Abarrio (USA) – The Breeders’ Cup Classic winner looked in fine fettle on the dirt track.

“He just galloped a mile and a half (2400m), pretty steady and everything’s going great,” trainer Rick Dutrow’s brother and assistant Chip said. “We’re just taking it day by day with what we do with him but we’re really happy with how he looks.”

US$2.5m Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap
Breakup (JPN) – The Japanese galloper had a steady canter for 800m on the dirt track. “He arrived here without any issue and has been in good form. He moved very nicely today,” assistant trainer Hachiya Koki said.

Enemy (GB) – The Ian Williams-trained Enemy has returned to Saudi Arabia in a bid to go one better than last year in this race. The 7-year-old warmed up with victory at Southwell last month.

“Enemy has settled in really well and we’re happy with him,” Dawn Oxley, head lass for trainer Ian Williams, said on Tuesday morning.

“He arrived at 2am on Sunday morning and just did a little hack canter around the quarantine track yesterday morning and just a steady canter around the track this morning.

“He has done all of his work at home so it will be a quiet week for him here as he is coming off the back of two good runs. He might just do a little bit more tomorrow morning but he’s in good form.”

First Minister (IRE) – “He didn’t lift a hoof on the dirt in his first run here but he ran a deceptively good race back on grass last start from a wide gate,” trainer Jimmy Jerkens said.

“The distance of nearly two miles [3200m] is a big question mark for him, though, whether he can stay. We’re trying to shut him down in his morning work to get him to settle.”

Giavellotto (IRE) – “He just cantered this morning but felt strong and well,” Andrew Morris, representing trainer Marco Botti, said.

“I think the plan is for his jockey Oisin Murphy to ride him maybe on Thursday morning. But he’s in good shape.”

Iron Barows (JPN) – The half-brother to the multiple Grade 1 winner in the US, Palace Malice, Iron Barows warmed up on the training track before he had his stiffest canter so far for 1200m on the dirt track.

“He moved comfortably with lots left in his tank. He felt really good. He really enjoys his life here and he seems fit on the dirt surface even though he is a turf runner,” assistant trainer Shoritsu Kurono said.

Libyan Glass (JPN) – The 4-year-old son of Kizuna had a gallop, working in tandem with his stablemates Forever Young and Bathrat Leon for 1200m on the dirt track.

“Libyan Glass travels overseas for the first time in his career and he has been settled because he is with other two horses,” assistant trainer Yusaku Oka said.

“As he did all he needed to before we brought him here, we had not asked him too much today. He is tuning up for the race and is very well. Hopefully he keeps good form until the race.”

Roberto Escobarr (IRE) – A winner of the Group 3 Premio St Leger Italiano on his first start for trainer Mick Appleby, he is reported to have settled into Saudi Arabia well ahead of Saturday’s assignment.

“The lads told me that both horses travelled over well and have settled in good since arriving on Sunday,” Appleby said.

“They had a little canter on the dirt track this morning and they’ll do a piece of work tomorrow morning. Annaf will go over six furlongs [1200m] and Roberto Escobarr will go over a mile [1600m] and they’ll both quicken over the last furlong [200m]. It will be a nice easy bit of work. I was happy with both horses going there, they seem in good shape.”

US$2m Howden Neom Turf Cup
Grocer Jack (GER) – “When he reverted back to the turf in the trial for this race he was very good under a nice ride from Nawaf [Almudiani],” trainer Jimmy Jerkens said.

“I think he can come forward again but he will need to in what is a much stronger race. He is a class horse, he is not over-raced by any means so we are hopeful of a big showing.”

The Foxes (IRE) – “He was on the dirt track this morning,” trainer Andrew Balding’s representative Maddy O’Meara said.

“He was bouncing, in great form. He has come out of his prep run at Southwell last month well. He was always going to be a bit rusty then and he has improved for the run as we would have hoped. He will be on the turf later in the week.”

US$2m Saudi National Bank 1351 Turf Sprint
Annaf (IRE) – One of two runners for trainer Mick Appleby on Saturday as the trainer looks forward to being represented in Saudi Arabia for the first time. The 5-year-old son of Muhaarar was second in a Listed race at Lingfield earlier this month.

“The lads told me that both horses travelled over well and have settled in good since arriving on Sunday,” Appleby said.

Bathrat Leon (JPN) – The global traveller had a gallop, working in tandem with his stablemates- Libyan Glass and Forever Young for 1200m on the dirt track.

“He showed great acceleration in the stretch. As he did all he needed to before we brought him here, we had not asked him too much today. He is tuning up for the race and is very well. Hopefully he keeps good form until the race,” assistant trainer Yusaku Oka said.

Matilda Picotte (IRE) – “My work rider reported her in great shape this morning,” trainer Kieran Cotter said. “She has travelled over there great and is settling in nicely. Everybody is very happy with her and we’re looking forward to a big run on Saturday. She got drawn 14 this morning but she will give it 100 per cent.”

Win Greatest (JPN) – The 7-year-old veteran with 33 career starts to his name had a one-lap canter on the dirt track.

“He has been training very well. He is getting used to the quarantine stable here and seems to be happy. Tomorrow jockey Masami Matsuoka will be on board for a steady gallop,” assistant trainer Kobasako Manabu said.

US$1.5m Boutique Group Saudi Derby
Forever Young (JPN) – The very promising 3-year-old colt who remains unbeaten in three starts had a gallop, working in tandem with his stablemates Libyan Glass and Bathrat Leon for 1200m on the dirt track.

“Forever Young travels overseas for the first time in his career and he has settled in because he is with other two horses,” assistant trainer Yusaku Oka said.

“As he did all he needed to before we brought him here, we had not asked him too much today. He is tuning up for the race and is very well. Hopefully he keeps good form until the race.”

Set Up (JPN) – Cantered for three laps on the training track. “Everything goes well and his jockey will gallop him tomorrow,” Hideyuki Chishima, a stable representative, said.

Satono Phoenix (JPN) – “He cantered on the training track. He is very relaxed and in good form,” trainer Masato Nishizono said.

US$1.5m Sports Boulevard Riyadh Dirt Sprint
Jasper Krone (JPN) – “He is settled after the travel and everything goes well so far. His jockey will be on his gallop tomorrow,” Daishi Hidaka, a stable representative, said.

Keiai Dorie (JPN) – Completed a 2000m canter on the dirt track.

“All good so far. Christophe Lemaire will be on his gallop at 7.30 tomorrow morning,” trainer Akira Murayama said.

Skelly (USA) – A leading contender, Red Lane Thoroughbreds’ Steve Asmussen-trained Skelly went to the dirt track at 9am on Tuesday and galloped 2000m under exercise rider Pedro Velez.

“He’s feeling really good,” Velez, who works mainly for The Saudi Cup challenger Hoist the Gold’s trainer Dallas Stewart, said. “I am just getting on him for the first time this week, but you can tell he is a very fast, very classy horse.

“He took ahold of the track and handled it. He even tried to grab the bit a little bit today, but he was fine and well-behaved. I just let him relax and kept him happy. He seems to have handled the trip from America really well.”

An eight-time winner from 12 starts who has only been out of the top two once, Skelly enters off seven consecutive victories, including four stakes. Last out, he landed the Listed King Cotton Stakes at Oaklawn Park in one-sided fashion.

US$500k NHC Saudi International Handicap
Abha (FR) – The Czech Republic representative made a morning appearance on the dirt track.

“She did a normal canter,” trainer Ingrid Janackova Koplikova said. “She’s ready now for the race, she doesn’t need to do too much but I’d like to go on the turf once before the race for a canter.”

Finest Sound (IRE) – “I just think 2100m might be stretching him,” trainer Jimmy Jerkens said.

“His last three runs have been at a mile [1600m] and he will need a super ride from Joel Rosario, a jockey who can settle his horses so well. The horse is in very good form.”

My Frankel (GB) – “He finished third in this race two years ago for his former trainer,” trainer Jimmy Jerkens said.

“He is fresh and well and I liked how he won the Grade 1 Crown Prince Cup the last day, having been very smooth in the run before he quickened in the stretch. He has been working well since and I have John Velazquez booked for the ride so he will get every chance from the saddle.”