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| Sumita Pawar |
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Ahead of the world's richest racing festival in Saudi Arabia, Oisin Murphy is set to ride with some familiar names. Having travelled extensively this winter to ride across the globe, the 28YO jockey has landed himself three top-class rides on the Saudi Cup card at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse this Saturday.
Murphy has previously ridden The Foxes to Dante glory for his long-time training ally, Andrew Balding. Although the pair finished fifth in the Derby at Epsom, they have a chance to go one better than their narrow defeat in the Belmont Derby last July.
The King Power Racing-owned 4YO has prepared for his Middle East assignment by running on the Tapeta at Southwell. The US$2 million event will see competitors such as Aidan O'Brien's Hong Kong Cup runner-up Luxembourg.
“The Foxes had his prep race at Southwell and I’ve ridden him at home in between and Andrew is very happy with him,” said Murphy.
“I should have won a Grade One on him in America in the Belmont Derby. He got no run then, but fast ground and left-handed suits him.
“I think apart from Luxemburg, on ratings he should be bang there, and I’m really looking forward to him.”
Jockey Murphy Confident In Matilda Picotte
Last season, Murphy had great success while riding Kieran Cotter's Matilda Picotte and he is hoping to do the same this year.
The Irish filly has performed exceptionally well over seven furlongs in the past and with the US$2 million Turf Sprint race being run over a distance just below that, the jockey is confident that they have a good chance of winning.
“Matilda Picotte has a lot of speed and was brilliant last year,” continued Murphy.
“Her form in the autumn went up to another level and I think the distance is probably ideal – just under seven furlongs.
“She’s got so much natural speed and although it is a different type of track maybe to where her best performances have come – Doncaster and Newmarket – she has plenty of racing experience now.”
According to Cotter, Matilda Picotte is doing well after travelling from County Laois to Riyadh, and she has been assigned stall 14 for the upcoming contest.
“My work rider reported her in great shape this morning,” he said.
“She has travelled over there great and is settling in nicely.
“Everybody is very happy with her and we’re looking forward to a big run on Saturday. She got drawn 14 this morning but she will give it 100 per cent.”
In addition to his globetrotting, Murphy has been in excellent form lately on the all-weather tracks in the UK. He will also be riding Giavellotto, who won the Yorkshire Cup for Marco Botti, in the Red Sea Turf Handicap.
“Giavellotto is going to carry a lot of weight but he is a big horse and his form is really good for this sort of race,” added Murphy.
“I remember Andrea (Atzeni) winning on him at York and a repeat of that sort of performance would put him right in the mix.”