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| Staff Writer |
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Romantic Warrior has been handed a potentially crucial inside draw in gate three for Saturday's US$20m Saudi Cup, as connections aim to translate his exemplary turf form to the Riyadh dirt surface.
The Irish-bred champion, trained by Danny Shum, has been commanding significant attention since touching down in Saudi Arabia, drawing admirers during his familiarisation visit to King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Wednesday afternoon.
Following the evening's draw ceremony, jockey James McDonald expressed satisfaction with their starting position. "We're happy with it," McDonald said after his wife Katelyn selected the number on the stage. "We didn't come here with any expectation of a particular draw. He seems to be going really well on the dirt, all the team are very happy with him and my horse has really good gate speed."
Forever Young, returning after his triumph in last year's US$1.5m Saudi Derby, will need to overcome a wide draw in 14. His trainer Yoshito Yahagi remained philosophical: "I haven't worried about the draw too much but I'd prefer an outside gate to inside."
Fellow Japanese contenders face contrasting fortunes, with Ushba Tesoro drawing the rail and Wilson Tesoro allocated gate four. Trainer Noboru Takagi offered positive assessments for both charges, while Ramjet, trained by Shozo Sasaki, will break from nine.
Recent Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup victor Rattle N Roll, representing trainer Kenny McPeek, drew gate seven. McPeek said: "We like the seven, that's great. He's got come-from-behind pace, we're excited to have the horse here and we feel like we've a bit of an advantage because he won here already."
Dubai form horses Walk Of Stars and Facteur Cheval drew six and 12 respectively, with the former's trainer Bhupat Seemar noting: "He's improved every run and I think there's still more to come. I just hope he can take in the environment, he needs to get used to the place but he's doing very well."
Completing the field are Al Musmak (10), Defunded (11), El Kodigo (13), Intense For Me (2), Wait To Excel (8) and Wootton'sun (5).