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| Rowan Anderson |
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The Group 2 Pure Arabian Al Mneefah Cup presented by the Ministry of Culture will remain in Saudi Arabia after last night’s running.
The Saad Mutlaq-trained Asfan Al Khalediah (KSA) sporting the famous white colours of HRH Prince Khalid Sultan Sons, the 4-year-old Purebred Arabian colt, who was the youngest horse in the 2100m race, had already won his prep race in impressive style and against proven Group 1 performers and foreign raiders, he was even more assertive when winning this by six and three-quarter lengths from his stable companion Bint Ghaliat Al Khalediah (KSA).
It was the French-trained mare Sultana (GB) who set the pace, followed by fellow French raider Teema (FR), while Asfan Al Khalediah was positioned just behind the pair. When they left the final bend, jockey Abdullah Alawfi kicked clear and very quickly put the race to bed in a time of 2.18.43. The Elisabeth Bernard-trained mare Sultana finished third.
It was a very popular victory for the son of Laith Al Khalediah and Mistahilat Al Khalidiah, who remains unbeaten.
24 February 2023 – Qaader (IRE), representing the Kingdom of Bahrain, proved just a little too classy in the Saudi International Handicap presented by Al Rajhi Bank as he came with a telling run inside the 200m to put away a diverse cast chasing the US$500,000 purse.
In the other highlight for the night, the Saudi International Handicap, it was Qaader who was seen taking the spoils ahead of Palavecino.
Famed Bahraini trainer Fawzi Nass prepared the winner although the Night Of Thunder five-year-old had been based in Saudi Arabia for over a year.
Alberto Sanna did the steering and they won by a length and three-quarters from local runner Palavecino. Czech Republic hope Stronger Together was the best of the European runners in third, performing with great distinction having taken up the running at the halfway point. Sir Roque ran fourth for Spain.
Palavecino had the run of the race tracking the leader on the rail and picked up the lead just after entering the homestretch but could not match Qaader’s finishing burst.
The victory capped quite the week for Italian jockey Sanna who had won the HH The Amir Trophy in Doha, Qatar just six days earlier.
Alberto Sanna, jockey of Qaader, said after the race.
"It’s nice to remind the world that I can ride in the big races.
"I have won on this horse before here and I know that he can race keenly. He was a little bit free on me again today, but he settled better when Cristian [Demuro, jockey of Stronger Together] went forward on his horse. At the top of the straight he was travelling well and I was pretty confident I could run them down in front of me. He is very smart.”
Fawzi Nass, trainer of Qaader also was impressed with the run.
"I have kept him racing here rather than Bahrain as he has a bit of a knee-action and the surface is a little more forgiving than at home. He won well – I guess that’s why he was at the top of the handicap!"
Luis Saez, jockey of Palavecino was far from disappointed with the run.
"My horse tried really hard but in the end he couldn’t quite get there, but it’s still a really good result."