McGuinness Team Poised for Middle Eastern Assignments

Trainer Ado McGuinness is sending Shamrock Thoroughbreds' Harry's Bar (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) to the $1.5-million Saudi Arabian Airlines Riyadh Dirt Sprint on the $20-million Saudi Cup undercard on Feb. 20. A 75,000gns purchase out of the Tattersalls HIT Sale last October, the 6-year-old gelding saluted in the Listed Belgrave S. on Nov. 6 and took a six-panel contest on Feb. 5, both over the Dundalk synthetic.

“He's in great form,” said McGuinness. “He's come back 100% from his last race, he's cantering away and he's heading out to Saudi on Sunday morning.

“They tell me it's the closest dirt track to an all-weather surface probably in the world. He's an all-weather specialist so hopefully he'll act on it.”

Added McGuinness, “We've only run him twice and the first day when he won the listed race if he had got beat and finished down the field I'd have been called all sorts, because he'd only come out of the sales and run a few days later. We gambled and it worked. He's a very good horse and is enjoying life here.

“His win at Dundalk last week was a very good performance. The handicapper put his turf rating up three pounds after that and left his all-weather mark alone. I couldn't understand that. If he goes back to grass I think he'll be a nice horse for the Wokingham.”

Harry's Bar's stablemate SW Saltonstall (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) is also competing on the Saudi Cup card, in a $1-million conditions race after a run at Dundalk on Friday.

“He's heading for Saudi as well all being well,” he said. “He's in really good form after his break. I'm looking forward to getting him out and about. It's not going to be easy in Saudi, but I think he'll run a big race there.”

Rounding out the McGuinness trio is Bowerman (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), who is targeting a local Qatari Group 2 at Doha.

“Bowerman goes to Doha next week for mile Group 2 on the grass on the Friday night,” said the trainer. “We'd have gone for the bigger race there, only the handicapper dropped him.”