RIYADH: Ricardo Ferreira dominated last weekend’s Saudi Cup qualifying card and hopes to take this Friday’s feature at King Abdulaziz Racecourse with Man of the Night (FR) in the $40,000 (SR150,000) North America Cup.
Carrying the same colors of Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Al-Malek Al-Sabah as when landing the Saudi Cup qualifier and the 2000 Guineas on Saturday as part of a four-timer, Ferreira will partner the veteran nine-year-old who was a Ministry of Culture Cup winner last February.
The owner is also represented by Muhammad Al-Daham’s mount Ajwadi (GB) in the 12-strong field over 1,600 meters, with the Red Stable of Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz sending out the Sami Alharab-trained Annafel (USA), who steps up in grade having got off the mark in handicap company last time.
A full field of 20 has been declared for the $40,000 UK Cup over 1,800 meters in which Ferreira rides Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Al-Malek Al-Sabah’s Pretty Flag (IRE), whose most recent success came in the domestic Group 2 Prince Sultan Ben Abdulaziz Cup in March.
Red Stable is doubly represented with Al Abjar (IRE) and the top-rated Almaan (USA), with the rival White Stable of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz also having two runners in the shape of Electability (USA) and the Camilio Ospina-ridden Faal Khair (USA).
Causeway (USA) makes a quick reappearance in the race under champion jockey Adel Al-Fouraidi after taking sixth behind Bolide Porto (IRE) in the Neom Turf Cup qualifier – the Listed Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup — last weekend.
The other feature on Friday is the $40,000 Ministry of Media Cup over the shorter 1,400 meters and Ferreira could gain feature as he gets aboard Red Stable runner and joint top-rated Latin America Cup winner Jahdoon (KSA).
His main rival from his 19 opponents could be Abdullah Al-Fairouz’s mount for the White Stable, Lilaelem (KSA), who carries the same rating and is unexposed as the winner of three of his seven starts but drops back from 1,600 meters.
Zefzaf (USA) landed last weekend’s 1351 Turf Sprint Qualifier sponsored by Saudia and his form should be boosted as the runner-up Love De Vega (IRE) is a clear pick in the 10-runner $32,000, 1,200 meters open that kicks off Friday’s card.
The Red and White stables should fight out the finish in the $32,000 1,351 meters sprint fielding four of the 10 runners with the latter represented by Fouj (USA) and last weekend’s Riyadh Dirt Sprint Qualifier sponsored by Nova second Jeddah Beach (USA).
However, Red Stable could pack a punch with the seventh from that race Hajes (GB) and Ferreira’s mount Fearnot (IRE), who makes his KSA debut after being sold for 500,000 guineas to Najd Stud / Archdale Bloodstock at the Tattersalls Sales last October, having raced in the UK for Clive Cox where he was a three-time winner from eight starts.
Saturday’s feature is the $40,000 Aseer Region Governorate Cup for three-year-olds over 1,400 meters, in which Ferreira again holds claims for the Red Stable with the once-rated winner Gaab (KSA), who was a tidy winner for the rider on New Year’s Day.
