RIYADH, Saudi Arabia–Defending champion Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) will jump from the outside stall in the 14-runner field for Saturday's $20 million Saudi Cup.
“Obviously it's not ideal,” said the 5-year-old's co-trainer Thady Gosden after selecting barrier 14 for Prince Faisal's homebred. “But last year he was drawn in 12 before winning so hopefully on Saturday he'll jump well and get into a good place in the back stretch. It's a very competitive-looking renewal of the race. He comes here in good form and still shows plenty of enthusiasm.”
Also representing a Saudi Arabian owner/breeder and another of the leading lights is Juddmonte's 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun (Into Mischief), who drew stall six.
His trainer Brad Cox, who saddled Knicks Go (Paynter) to finish fourth in last year's race, said: “There is a little less pressure than with Knicks Go. The draw in six I'm happy with. He tends to race forward, tracking the leaders, so provided he breaks well, and there is no reason why he won't, then I expect he will be up with the pace. He's doing well in his preparation and the draw is good, I'm pretty happy.”
The G1 Champion S. winner Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), representing France's Haras de la Gousserie and Guy Pariente, will jump from stall 11.
“I don't like extremes, either inside or outside, so this is not a bad draw,” said Sealiway's trainer Francis Graffard. “We have very good horses around us and after all, it's [jockey] Ryan Moore who will need to figure out what to do.”
The Saudi Cup, described by draw host Nick Luck as “a field of 14 that really embodies the true spirit of international racing”, features runners from seven different countries. Japan is doubly represented, with the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Marche Lorraine (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) set to race from gate 13, one inside Mishriff, and the dirt champion T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister {Jpn}), who is drawn in eight.
Marche Lorraine's trainer Yoshito Yahagi said simply, “I don't care about the draw over the one-turn course. When she won the Breeders' Cup Distaff, she started from a wide draw, so no problem.”
Aero Trem (Brz) (Shanghai Bobby) will become the first South American runner at the Saudi Cup when he jumps from gate two representing Uruguay. Just outside him is the Steve Asmussen-trained Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow), one of four American runners in the race.
Amr Zedan has experienced the full gamut of racing emotions following Medina Spirit's win in last year's Kentucky Derby, followed by his untimely death in December and subsequent Derby disqualification only this week. The Saudi owner is represented in the Cup by the Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer (Tonalist).
On drawing the inside post for his 5-year-old, Zedan said, “It's a bit emotional for me coming here. I wanted to bring Medina Spirit but I am happy to have Country Grammer in the race. Medina, Mandaloun they're both Saudi, and that's close to my heart.”
1 – Country Grammer
2 – Aero Trem
3 – Midnight Bourbon
4 – Real World
5 – Emblem Road
6 – Mandaloun
7 – Magny Cours
8 – T O Keynes
9 – Art Collector
10 – Making Miracles
11 – Sealiway
12 – Secret Ambition
13 – Marche Lorraine
14 – Mishriff
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