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| Staff Writer |
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Saudi Arabia's champion trainer elect Thamer Aldaihani is mounting a serious challenge in Saturday's Gr.1 Saudi Cup, with his fresh recruit Al Musmak leading the local hopes against international sensation Romantic Warrior in the US$20m contest at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
The Irish-bred Al Musmak, who claimed two Listed victories in Britain for Roger Varian, made an eye-catching Saudi Arabian debut on January 4. "We wanted a run to get him fit, but he needed to be fresh for this," Aldaihani said. "He ran in England all the time on the grass, and he won easily, but this is a stronger race, we have the best horses in the world here."
Assessing the competition, Aldaihani noted: "I've seen Romantic Warrior's races, he's number one in the world, a very good horse. If he's good with the dirt, nobody can beat him. After two furlongs, you'll know if Romantic Warrior can win or not. He must jump from the gate and carry on the pace, sit in a good position. Forever Young is a very good horse too."
His second string, Wait To Excel, comes fresh from placing in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup. "He's training well, and I trust the horse. He'll love the distance; he loves the track, and he has a good heart. He ran a really good race last time but was on the outside and lost too many lengths. He can't do that in the big race."
Beyond the main event, Aldaihani harbours high hopes for the US$1.5m Saudi Derby. His charge Mhalhal has transformed since finishing fifth to stablemate Mhally in the 2000 Guineas.
"This horse can do like Forever Young [last year]," he declared. "He will win here; he will run in Dubai and I hope will go to America. He's a good horse. When he ran in the trial, he was in the box for two weeks and only trained for maybe eight or nine days. Then he ran 1600m, had an easy run and if the jockey had pushed him, he would have broken the [track record]."