Bahrain Turf Series finale set

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) hosts the final two races of the prestigious Bahrain Turf Series today as part of an exciting eight-race card that also includes two His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cups.

The turf series is set to conclude with the Al Sakhir Cup and Vision 2030 Cup—the ninth and 10th £50,000 handicaps featuring star-studded fields.

The Al Sakhir Cup, today’s fifth race at 3.15pm covering seven furlongs, will see one returning turf series winner in Deep Intrigue, the 96-rated, Hasan Mefareh Alajmi-owned and Hesham Al Haddad-trained contender, who will be ridden by last year’s Bahrain International Trophy winning jockey David Egan.

A number of other top names are in the fray, including Silent Film for owners Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby, to be saddled by James Doyle; Sonja Henie, competing for Victorious and Hesham Al Haddad, to be ridden by Husain Makki; and the Al Mohamediya Racing trio of Shebil Aljazira (Marcialis Jaures), Tamerlane (Jason Watson) and Desert Gulf, co-owned with Fawzi Nass, to be ridden by Paddy Mathers.

The 16-horse field is completed by Magical Wish for MKAR Racing, Kinks for Isa Mahmood Al Seddiqi, Nayslayer for Bahrain Racing Team Syndicate, Mushtaq for FF Racing, Urgent Appeal for Rabbah Racing, Graphite Storm for Al Hassanain Racing, Natural Path for Peter Trainor, King’s Knight for Ziad A Galadari, Wonder Elzaam for Paul Kwok, Angel Li and Orbital Racing Group, and Nebo for Julie Routledge-Martin and David R Martin and Dan Hall.

Meanwhile, the Vision 2030 Cup follows as the sixth race of the day starting at 3.45pm. It will be contested over 10 furlongs, with a field of 11 battling it out. Godolphin are being represented once more as Tamborrada, also trained by Charlie Appleby and saddled by James Doyle, is competing.

Al Mohamediya Racing have three entrants, namely Bond’s Boy, to be ridden by Paddy Mathers, Ahdab with Jason Watson in the saddle, and Zagato, to be ridden by Neil Callan. Also in the fray are George Baker Racing Bahrain Syndicate’s La Maquina, with Lewis Edmunds the jockey; Arqoob of Little Staughton Farms Ltd with David Egan in the saddle; and Howzer Black for Middleham Park Racing LXXVILL, to be ridden by Eoin Walsh.

Rounding off the contestants are Wait Forever and Zymyran, both representing Al Hassanain Racing, Mission Boy for MKAR Racing and Brains for The Judges and Partner.

Prestigious cups

Meanwhile, the two HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cups will be on offer in today’s last two races.

In the eighth and concluding race, to be held over 11 furlongs with a BD10,000 prize, Medal Winner, Tawaareq and Encourage have been tipped with a chance amongst the ninehorse field; while in race seven, Sabreena, Alejandro and Epic are the favourites over another 11-furlong ride, with a BD5,000 prize purse.

The first race of the day will be for the HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup, to be held over eight furlongs with a BD3,000 prize. Kuheilan Umm Zorayr 1797, Obeyan 1777 and Kuheilan Afas 1708 are the pre-race favourites.

Race two is for the HH Shaikh Hamdan bin Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup, covering eight furlongs with a BD3,500 prize. Taufan, Wewonitsixtimes and Shawwash have been tipped with a chance.

The third race is for the HH Shaikh Hamad bin Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup. Mudallal, Mahaam and Raseen are the favourites to take the win over a six-furlong straight for the lion’s share of the BD3,500 prize.

Race four is for the HH Shaikha Sheemah bint Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup, set for five furlongs with a BD5,000 prize.