Stage set for Bahrain Turf Series thrills

TDT | Manama                   

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com  

Seven international runners are set to feature in each of today’s prestigious Bahrain Turf Series races, set to take place at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) in Sakhir.

The leading European contenders will be hoping to overcome their local counterparts, who were dominant in last season’s 10-event series. They will be hoping to claim the lion’s share of the £60,000 prize money in today’s Al Muharraq Cup, sponsored by Sayacorp, and Al Manama Cup, sponsored by BBK.

The Al Muharraq Cup, scheduled for 2.20pm and to be held over 10 furlongs, features a total of 16 entrants. The seven international contenders are Marie’s Diamond, owned by The Wolf Pack and Partner, trained by Roger Fell and to be ridden by Connor Beasley; Lucander, representing Nigel Jones and Paul Bowden, George Baker and Patrick Cosgrave; What’s The Story, competing for Weldspec Glasgow Limited, Keith Dalgleish and Ebrahim Nader; Chianti, racing for Miga Horses A/S, Niels Petersen and Carlos Lopez; Commonsensical, representing More Turf Racing, Hugo Palmer and Paul Hanagan; Inigo Jones for Gary Allsopp Partnership, Jamie Osborne and Saffie Osborne; and Box to Box, competing for The Running Order Partnership, Hugo Palmer and Harry Davies.

The rest of the top-class field includes Classical Wave for Victorious, What A Welcome for Ahmed Al Isa, Magical Wish for MKAR Racing, Tall Order for Al Mallah Syndicate, Taqareer for Al Afoo Racing and the quartet of Bond’s Boy, Arctic Emperor, Grigadale and Arctic Vega all competing for Al Mohamediya Racing.

Contenders

Meanwhile, the Al Manama Cup is scheduled for a 2.50pm start, covering a 10-furlong distance, with 18 horses in contention.

The seven international runners in the race are Soldier’s Minute, competing for owners Weldspec Glasgow Limited and trainer Keith Dalgleish, to be saddled by Eoin Walsh; King of Stars, racing for Williams Esdaile, Michael Appleby and Saffie Osborne; Nomadic Empire for Al Mohamediya Racing, David O’Meara and Neil Callan; Khunan, also for Al Mohamediya, Richard Fahey and Liam Keniry; Herewegodandy, racing for Stall Gullik A/S, Niels Petersen and Carlos Lopez; Get It, racing for MyRacehorse and Partners, George Baker and Patrick Cosgrave; and Digital, competing for Fine Claret Racing and Partner, Roger Fell and Connor Beasley.