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| Staff Writer |
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City House produced a commanding performance to land the Gr.3 Al Hawar Cup at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club, maintaining trainer George Scott's remarkable strike rate in Bahrain.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, witnessed the US$80,000 contest alongside His Majesty King Hamad's representative Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Shouldering top weight proved no obstacle for the progressive 4YO, who stormed down the centre of the track under Callum Shepherd to master Walbank in the 1,200m contest. The runner-up, handled by George Boughey and partnered by Billy Loughnane, had no answer to the winner's potent finishing burst.
The victory marked a successful transition to Bahrain Turf Series company for City House, following his taking success over 1,400m in local company a fortnight ago.
Shepherd, operating at above 50 per cent strike rate this term, said: "He is a horse that has really thrived out here. Because we were coming back in trip it took me to halfway to come on the bit, but then he travelled really well and won in good style.
"George has again identified the right horse to bring to Bahrain and it is nice to make that transition from local races to the Turf Series and impressive to do that under top weight."
The Anchorman Cup witnessed a landmark moment as Hussain Asghar became the first Bahrain Jockey Academy graduate to secure a Turf Series victory aboard Merlin's Beard. The 23-year-old steered the Osama Hashim-trained runner to victory over stablemate Soldier's Empire, representing Marco Botti and Neil Callan.
Mr Alan and Oliver Show, both trained by Boughey, filled the minor places, while previous scorer Majestic from Jack Channon's yard finished unplaced.
Today's eight-race card features the US$150,000 Listed HRH The Crown Prince's Cup over 2,000m, with seven runners declared including three Victorious-owned contenders alongside representatives from Al Mohamediya Racing, Al Afoo Racing, Godolphin, and Lindsay Laroche.
The Bahrain Turf Series continues on February 21.