The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia released the following notes on Tuesday in preparation for its flagship event, the $20 million Saudi Cup on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023.
Cafe Pharoah (JPN) – Two times a winner of the Grade 1 February Stakes in Japan (on dirt), the 6-year-old has been having a steady preparation towards the big race.
“For the first couple of days after he arrived here he was a little bit tired from the long trip,” assistant trainer Naoto Suzuki said.
“He has recovered well by now so his morning work is getting more intensified day-by-day. He had a nice steady canter for a lap on the dirt track and is ready for his fast work tomorrow.”
Country Grammer (USA) and Taiba (USA) – Bob Baffert's pair arrived in Saudi Arabia a few days ago. Assistant Jimmy Barnes confirmed the pair were tack-walked around the quarantine barn on Tuesday. They had been out for an easy 600m workout along with Saudi Derby-bound stablemate Havnameltdown (USA) on Monday and are expected back on the track on Wednesday.
Crown Pride (JPN) – Japan's emerging dirt performer is going to have his third overseas appearance on Saturday, having won the UAE Derby last year and run in the Kentucky Derby. The frequent traveller has behaved like a team leader for the Japanese barn.
“If I bring him to the dirt track every morning, he could be excessively keen which is what I do not really want. So, this morning I gave him a light canter on the training track to relax. He is in good condition ahead of his fast work tomorrow,” assistant trainer Masafumi Matsuda said.
Emblem Road (USA) and Scotland Yard (USA) – Last year's impressive Saudi Cup winner Emblem Road is being readied for Saturday's feature race alongside stable companion Scotland Yard for local trainer Moutaib Almulawah.
The pair are among the first to step out onto the King Abdulaziz Racecourse for morning trackwork and Saad Abdulwahed, representing the trainer, gave a positive update on Tuesday morning. “Both Emblem Road and Scotland Yard are good and I am happy to say everything is fine,” he said. “They have done their fast work and tomorrow morning they will just canter.”
Geoglyph (JPN) – The Japanese 2000 Guineas winner in 2022 had an easy canter on the dirt track.
“I feel relieved that he has travelled to Saudi Arabia safely, which is very important,” Shingo Hashimoto of owners Northern Farm said.
Jun Light Bolt (JPN) – The winner of the Grade 1 Champions Cup at Chukyo (on dirt) in December arrived last Friday.
“It was a smooth travel so he did not lose much weight, which was good,” assistant trainer Hideo Hanada said. “He spent the first couple of days doing only relaxed exercise and I brought him to the dirt course for the first time on Sunday. So far, he has been cantering nice and smoothly on the dirt, so I believe he handles the surface here. He did a starting gate practice yesterday and nothing was wrong. We are going to work him on dirt tomorrow.”
Panthalassa (JPN) – Having shared victory with Lord North in the Dubai Turf at Meydan last year, the 6-year-old by Lord Kanaloa is experienced at long-distance travel. He had an easy canter on the dirt track.
“I am very glad that he has travelled to Saudi Arabia without any problem,” Yusaku Oka, assistant to trainer Yoshito Yahagi, said.
“His appetite is good, better than he is at home, and he keeps his good condition. He was a bit edgy and seemed to be anxious about the unfamiliar surroundings on the first day, but he is now getting used to it. He will gallop on the dirt track tomorrow, and we are going to decide which horse should work in tandem.”
Remorse (IRE) – Bhupat Seemar's representative was due to arrive from Dubai on Tuesday.
Sunset Flash (IRE) and Lagertha Rhyme (IRE) – “Both my mares are training well and they will run to their best in The Saudi Cup,” trainer Naif Almindeel said.
“This race will be the hardest they have been in, but they are very consistent and finished one-two in the Gulf Cup last time over the mile (1600m). We are very happy to have two runners in the world's richest race.”
Vin de Garde (JPN) – Had an easy canter for one and a half laps on the dirt track.
“Thanks to the great support from the The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, everything has been organized and gone well so far and I have trained him as planned since he got in. He is in great form,” Kazuo Fujiwara, assistant to trainer Hideaki Fujiwara, said.
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