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| Staff Writer |
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Forever Young has impressed since arriving in Riyadh for his tilt at the US$20m Saudi Cup, with jockey Ryusei Sakai reporting the Japanese star to be in peak condition ahead of Saturday's feature.
The Yoshito Yahagi-trained colt, who claimed the US$1.5m Saudi Derby last year, has since proven his class with placing in both the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic.
"Since winning the Tokyo Daishoten in December he had stayed at Yoshito Yahagi's stable at Ritto Training Centre and remained in training, he didn't spell in the private training property, and then he started to have steady workouts three weeks before his trip to Saudi Arabia," Sakai said. "I think everything has gone very well so far."
The 4YO completed his final serious work on Wednesday, breezing 1300m on the dirt track before having light exercise on Thursday at the quarantine stable.
Adding to the Japanese contingent's chances, stablemate Shin Emperor lines up in the US$2m Howden Neom Turf Cup. The French-bred colt, closely related to Arc winner Sottsass, enters the race following an excellent second in the Gr.1 Japan Cup behind Do Deuce.
Sakai remains optimistic about both runners: "He travelled to Riyadh very well. He has been very relaxed and looked confident since he has arrived. I have no worries about him. He is a very versatile type of horse and can handle any type of track condition.
"The wide gate is not a big concern and distance-wise there is no issue either. I understand this will be a very competitive race, but my focus is to show his run. I am really looking forward to Saturday."
Speaking of Shin Emperor, he added: "As he is a French-bred horse and has travelled from France to Japan, from Japan to Europe, he is already an experienced traveller.
"Since he has arrived in Riyadh, he has been keeping good condition and has felt really good when I galloped him yesterday. The left-handed flat track here should be the perfect match for him, and I am very confident of his chances in the race if he can show his class."