Al Musmak is top local hope in Saudi Cup
RIYADH Thamer Aldaihani believes his new recruit Al Musmak has the potential to pose the chief threat to international superstar Romantic Warrior in the US$20 million (S$26.8 million) Saudi Cup (1,800m) on Feb 22.
Saudi Arabia's champion trainer elect, who has a huge lead in the standings, will saddle two of the 15-horse field for the main event at King Abdulaziz racecourse.
Aldaihani has the greatest respect for Romantic Warrior but is aware of the challenge that Hong Kong's turf champion faces with the switch to the dirt.
Twice a winner at Listed level in the United Kingdom for Roger Varian and owner Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah, Al Musmak made an impressive Saudi Arabian debut on Jan 4.
The four-year-old colt by Night Of Thunder won going away in an open race over the same course and distance (1,800m on dirt).
"We wanted a run to get him fit but he needed to be fresh for this," said Aldaihani. "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."
He continued: "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 (from Japan) is a very good horse too."
The trainer also saddles the consistent Wait To Excel, recent runner-up in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, and was also very complimentary of the Postponed six-year-old.
"He's training well and I trust the horse. He'll love the distance, he loves the track and he has a good heart," said Aldaihani.
"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."
Asked for a verdict on his chances, with Mohammad Aldaham aboard Al Musmak and Adel Alfouraidi lined up for Wait To Excel, Aldaihani was leaning towards the former.
"Al Musmak is new for me. If he runs like in England and he acts on the dirt very well – like Romantic Warrior – the race will be between Romantic Warrior and Al Musmak, I'm sure," he said.
Aldaihani has a few other runners set to start on the night but is particularly excited about the US$1.5m Saudi Derby (1,600m).
Mhalhal ran fifth to stable companion Mhally in the 2000 Guineas (Saudi Derby qualifier) sponsored by Saudi National Bank but looked a different horse when coasting clear in a subsequent outing at the start of this month.
"This horse (Mhalhal) can do like Forever Young (last year)," he said. "He will win here, he will run in Dubai and I hope he 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 1,600m, had an easy run and if the jockey had pushed him, he would have broken the track record." JOCKEY CLUB OF SAUDI ARABIA
See something interesting? Contribute your story to us.
Explore more on these topics
