Bahrain Turf Series set for grand finale

TDT | Manama                                        

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

The final two £60,000 Bahrain Turf Series races of the season take place today with a total of 12 European horses lining up across the two races.

There have been three international successes (Lucander, Nomadic Empire and King Of Conquest) in the eight races so far, and hopes are high in the George Baker camp that Get It can bookend a successful Turf Series for Baker with victory in Al Sakhir Cup, run over 6f (1,200m).

Get It, who is one of four European challengers in the final sprint of the series, has raced almost exclusively over 5f in his career but Baker is hoping that he can see out the trip and finally get his head in front in Bahrain.

Baker said: “Get It has been a star for us. He was unlucky on his first run in Bahrain and I think he bumped into one in Mobaadel on his most recent start. It was a fantastic run and Andrea was very keen to get back on him on Friday. His work rider, Terry, said he is in great order. We couldn’t be happier with how we have him.”

George Baker, who has had three horses based in Bahrain this season, has already scooped £74,577 in prize money. He added: “They’re pushing £100,000 these horses and we’d struggle to get that at Wolverhampton, Southwell, Lingfield and places like that at this time of year.

“It’s been a great success. We will be back next year, we’re committed to Bahrain. Our owners have committed to it. We’ve had three horses here this year, if we came back with six or seven next year that would be absolutely wonderful.”

Meanwhile, Hugo Palmer is hopeful of a big run from Box To Box in Vision 2030 Cup run over 1m 2f (2000m). The son of Kodica ran a promising race on his Bahraini debut at the start of December but disappointed on his subsequent start. His trainer believes that the break has done him good. Palmer said: “Despite a wide draw, we’re happy with Box To Box.

He does seem to be a horse who goes best fresh. He ran well on his first start out here and then perhaps bounced a bit at the end of December. We’ve deliberately given him a good break and we’re hoping he can step forward off a lower mark.” Box To Box is one of eight European runners in the race. Other notable contenders include What’s The Story (Keith Dalgleish), Marie’s Diamond (Roger Fell) and Inigo Jones (Jamie Osborne).