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| Staff Writer |
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Ground-breaking trainer Fawzi Nass is preparing an assault on the $20 million Saudi Cup with Bahrain International winner Simsir.
Nass made history at the inaugural Saudi Cup meeting last year when his Port Lions pulled off a shock win by defeating Japan’s star mare Deirdre in what is now called The Neom Turf Cup, the first turf race ever held in Saudi Arabia.
Now he has the world’s most valuable race in his sights with Simsir. The 5YO will take on some of the world’s best dirt horses, including Pegasus World Cup winner Knicks Go and rising star Charlatan, in the 1800m contest on February 20.
Bahrain-based Nass will also aim a three-strong challenge at the first running of the Al Rajhi Bank International Handicap on February 19, the day before The Saudi Cup.
He is targeting last month’s Crown Prince Cup winner New Show, as well as stablemates Desert Lion and What A Welcome, at the 2100m contest, which is open to horses trained in countries not included in the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities’ Part One nations.