 |
|
| Rowan Anderson |
 |
Nomadic Empire will be looking at continuing his success with a win in the Al Riffa Cup in Bahrain today.
The 4YO gelded son of Kodiac and Beatify took the victory in the Al Manama Cup last time out at the start of December winning by half a length.
He now lines up for a tilt at the Al Riffa Cup run over the 1200m with a strong field of 16.
The David O’Meara-trained runner will partner with the retained rider Neil Callan in hopes for a roll-on win in the latest edition of the Bahrain Turf Series.
Local trainer Alan Smith’s Instinctive Move and the Roger Fell-trained Digital, second and third last time to Nomadic Empire will be looking to get theirs back in this race.
Connor Beasley takes the ride again on Digital and his trainer has high hopes for his four-year-old gelding.
“Digital ran a really nice race last time out finishing a close third. He has gone up four pounds but we are hoping he's come on for the run and over six furlongs can run a really nice race,” trainer Roger Fell said.
Trainer Hesham Al Haddad proved his credentials as the most successful trainer last season and will be looking to build on that with three chances in this race. Laieth and Kinks both make their seasonal reappearances while Fighter Pilot will be looking to build on his run in the Al Manama Cup last time out. The trainer was confident with his trio of starters.
“We have three horses in the sprint race. Fighter Pilot has performed well in his previous races. Unfortunately, last time out he was disappointing but hopefully he will bounce back and we will see a good race from him. Kinks is a tricky horse, he will be better over this distance of 1200m rather than a sharper 1000m. Laieth is a very nice horse. He ran in the Series last year and we have very high hopes for him this year,” Al Haddad said.
Watchya is a starter to keep an eye on out of the George Baker stable, after the trainer had his first success in Bahrain with Lucander in Al Muharraq Cup.
He provided an update on Watchya who is having his first run for Baker after being purchased at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training sale in October.
“Watchya has really pleased me and the team in Bahrain. We are delighted with him and he is in good order ahead of Friday. Pat Cosgrave rides for me as he did with Lucander and we go into the race full of hope. We think he is an exciting, young, progressive sprinter and we are hopeful of a bold run in his first race for us,” Baker said.
The Al Riffa Cup to be run at 11.15AM today at Sakhir racecourse and is sponsored by Alba.