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| Staff Writer |
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El Kodigo and Intense For Me, the latest acquisitions for Mishref stable, are displaying encouraging signs as they prepare for Saturday's US$20m Saudi Cup challenge alongside stable veteran Defunded.
The Argentinian duo brings impressive form to the table, with El Kodigo having recently enhanced his Gr.1 collection in Uruguay's Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez. His compatriot Intense For Me arrives with bragging rights, having edged him in December's Gr.1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional.
"El Kodigo is looking very good and it looks like he travelled well. The next few days we'll know where he'll go, but the way I've seen him cantering, it looks good so far. We'll see how it goes," reports Khalid Mishref, speaking on behalf of owner Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb.
The representative is particularly buoyed by El Kodigo's growing international following: "I've noticed there are a lot of supporters from South America for him. I was highly surprised to see him on Instagram, on TikTok and Twitter. I'd like to send them a message that the horse will do well in The Saudi Cup. The previous trainer did a marvellous job and hopefully that will continue with our team."
Discussing the adaptation process, Mishref adds: "El Kodigo is different, he just arrived a couple of days ago. South American horses can do very well the first month and then they might need to adapt, but things are going well with both horses."
Addressing the shorter trip, Mishref observes: "Both are mentally prepped for 2400m, we are asking them to do 1800m, but both of them have run over the distance last year and won. Intense For Me arrived at the end of January, he's had his second breeze, which was good."
The stable's third runner, Defunded, brings solid credentials having captured a Grade One in America. The 7YO veteran, seventh in last year's Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup, has since proven his wellbeing with victory in the UK Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
"Defunded came last year with a short amount of time and hopefully we will have luck with the draw," Mishref notes. "I have confidence he'll perform very well, how far he can compete against those super horses, I don't know, but I'm confident he's back."
His enthusiasm for the challenge ahead is palpable: "You can't imagine how happy I am that we have three runners in the big race. We're proud to be competing against the superstars of the whole world."