MG1SW Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) has been given the green light to run in the inaugural $20-million Saudi Cup this weekend. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor let the Godolphin colourbearer take his chance on dirt for the first time at Meydan earlier this month, and his flag-bearer responded with a comfortable success in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 on Feb. 6. Following that victory, the decision whether to take him to the $20-million race in Riyadh was left to owner Sheikh Mohammed –and he has given the go-ahead.
“Yes, Benbatl runs–Sheikh Mohammed was happy for him to go,” said Bin Suroor. “He won well on the dirt in Dubai, so we know that isn't a problem. He's been working well since, and he's in good form. The race will be very tough, we know that, but we're looking forward to seeing him run.”
Bin Suroor will also be represented on Saturday in the Samba Saudi Derby by Final Song (Ire) (Dark {Angel {Ire}). The bay saluted in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial at Meydan on Jan. 2, was third in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas to stablemate Dubai Love (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) on Jan. 23 and went one better in the Feb. 6 Meydan Classic Trial conditions race.
“I also run Final Song in the Saudi Derby–the filly,” he said. “She's a nice filly. She shows plenty of speed over six and seven furlongs–but this race is over a mile, so we'll see how she runs. She ran really well in the G2 Queen Mary at Royal Ascot last year, but five furlongs was too short for her.”
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