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| Rowan Anderson |
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When the gates fly back in the Group Three 1351 Turf Sprint on Saudi Cup night Charlie Hills will see his pair of seven-year-old stablemates show what they have throwing down a real challenge for the SAR $3.3 million winner’s purse.
Pogo is the stable star last year having won the Group 3 Criterion Stakes, Group 3 John Gaunt Stakes, Group 2 Challenge Stakes, and rounding his success out with a second in the Group 2 City of York Stakes (G2).
In the three years prior he also has won two Listed class races and placed in three Group races including a third placing in the Group One Prix d’Ispahan in 2020.
Pogo is regarded as one of the most improved horses in training on British shores last season strengthening the confidence held by his trainer in him.
“He was absolutely brilliant last year and kept a really solid level of form the whole way through the campaign.
“I’ve always believed he was a really good horse as he’s always shown that at home and it’s great that he’s translated his work on the gallops to the track. He’s got a great constitution, takes his racing really well, and just didn’t stop improving.
“Some horses just take a bit longer to develop and he might be one of those,” Hills said. “He’s a real trier and there’s no doubt that last season showed he’s improved as he’s got older.”
Last year he ran fifth in this Group Three at Riyadh and will be looking to get his revenge and build off the greatly successful year.
“The track and trip should really play to his strengths out there. He loves fast ground and hopefully this year’s race will be run a bit more to suit. We’ll probably ride him a touch more patiently this time and with any luck he’ll be bang there.”
Hills also saddles Garrus in the contest, with the trainer reporting they are both in great order and off the back of their best seasons to date are ready for their seasonal debuts in Saudi.
“The trip and track should really suit him,” Hills added.
“We’ve been really pleased with his run-up to the race, and it looks a really good place to start him off this year.
“The prize money is so good out there and given it’s a race we think should play to his strengths, we’ve had it lined up for a while for him.”
“Both horses are in great form and I couldn’t be much happier with them,” he said.
“The plan has always been to start both in the race in Saudi and I’m really looking forward to running them as they seem in really rude health.
“The facilities for the horses out there are fantastic and it’s one of those events that you want to be having runners at, so it’s great we’ve got two heading over with live chances.”
Charlie Hills has built a reputation as an expert over the shorter distances and with this two pronged attack it gives him another chance to prove his credentials on 25 February.