A $40,000 bonus prize is up for grabs when the fifth and final round of the 2023-24 Bahrain Turf Series takes place at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club on Friday, February 16.
The bonus is awarded to the leading points scorer in the middle-distance division which is currently the George Scott-trained Isle Of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) with 25 points, ahead of old rival Lucander (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) on 22 points. However, neither horse is eligible to run in the Vision 2030 race (sponsored by Beyon), the final points-scoring opportunity in the middle-distance division, following rises in their handicap ratings.
Ranked third with 18 points, Box To Box (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) therefore has the potential to leapfrog the two horses above him and secure the bonus if he was to win or finish second in the Vision 2030 race. Likewise, Parlando (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) still has a chance of landing the prize having already amassed 13 points, though only a win would be good enough for him to jump to the top of the standings.
Trainer Hugo Palmer said of Box To Box, “He had five long weeks between his second and third runs and as a consequence of him training on the flat terrain and enjoying the sunshine, he did a little too well in the interim. He definitely needed the run last time out. Indeed, beforehand he was heavier than he has ever been for a race but he's lost all that now and is back to where we want him. Getting him back down to his racing weight and the step back up to 2000m will be in his favour.”
In the sprint division, Brazen Bolt (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) holds an unassailable lead on 40 points heading into the final round and is guaranteed the $40,000 bonus, worth $25,000 to the owners and $15,000 to the trainer.
The feature race on Friday's card is the His Highness Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup (sponsored by Bapco Energies) in which Isle Of Jura and Lucander are set to go head-to-head for a fourth time this season. Lucander won the 2023 running of the Shaikh Nasser Cup but has found Isla Of Jura too strong in two of their three previous meetings, latterly in the Listed Crown Prince's Cup earlier this month.
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