RIYADH: Domestic Group Two action headlines this week’s racing at King Abdulaziz Racecourse with a competitive field of 18 for Friday’s SR500,000 ($133,300) HRH Prince Mohammed bin Saud Al-Kabeer Cup.
The White Stable of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz & Sons dominate the field with four declared for the 2,000-meter contest headed by the top-rated Lilaelem (KSA) for jockey Rayan Altoairsh, who rides the winner of three-from-six starts for the first time.
Camilo Ospina was aboard for the 4-year-old’s successful return to action last month, but he switches to the experienced Lelah Doroh (KSA) who was second to the re-opposing Tahzeem (KSA) in the Abdullah bin Ibrahim Aba Alkhail Award race in October.
Kaflahom (KSA) is having just his fifth career start in the hands of Fawaz Alshammari and the White Stable quartet is completed by the Abdullah Alfairouz-ridden Morodan (KSA).
Tahzeem is one of three representatives for the Red Stable of Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz on the back of his recent strike and the 5-year-old son of Frozen Power bids for a remarkable sixth win in a row under champion Adel Alfouraidi.
Yemken (KSA) has landed two of his three most recent starts with both those wins coming over 2,400 meters, and he drops in distance for the Red Stable who also field a live candidate in Abo Shaikhah (KSA).
In opposition is prolific winner and recent Africa Cup hero, Aljamaanee (KSA), the returning Alkharsany (KSA) — who has his first outing for two years — and Abdullah bin Ibrahim Aba Alkhail Award third, Marsoom Alnayef (KSA).
Friday also sees 12 runners declared for the closing SR120,000 Prep for Crown Prince Cup over 2,400 meters with familiar names Louganini (Great Britain), Monsieur Jumbo (France), Moore’s Law (US), Causeway (US) and Tabaretta (France) all set to clash.
Saturday’s feature is the SR150,000 Listed JCSA Cup for Arabian Horses and the highest-rated in the eight-strong field is Angad Al-Khalediah (KSA) who will try to go one better under Tariq Almansour after finishing second two weeks ago.
Ichan De Bozouls (France) would be a big threat, if returning to form having disappointed on his last three starts, along with recent fourth Mostabsil Al-Khalediah (KSA).
A total of SR150,000 is also available for the Almadinah Almonawarah Region Governorate Cup over 2,400 meters which again looks like a direct clash between the Red and White stables.
The latter are represented by Ospina’s mount Almaqam (KSA), who tries the trip for just the second time, and recent runner-up over the distance Aelam Beladi (KSA), with the former fielding the Alfouraidi-ridden Ibn Laboun (KSA) and multiple 2,400-meter winner Mashmookh (KSA).
The third SR150,000 event on Saturday is the King Khalid Military Academy Cup over 1,600 meters for 2-year-olds and the Red Stable appear to hold the aces with Taif Cup Local Bred first and second Raei Althaminah (KSA) and Hiz (KSA).
And some star names feature in race five — a SR120,000 Open over 2,000 meters — with Wootton’sun (France) having just his second run since finishing ninth to Forever Young (Japan) in The Saudi Cup, along with Tuwaiq Cup third Mr. Trinket (Ireland) and recent winner Daahi (US).
