Military Law leads UAE challenge in $20 million Saudi Cup

Military Law comes into the race on the back of a brilliant win in Round 1 of the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan. (Dubai Racing Club)

Dubai - The UAE has a sizable contingent in the eight-race card at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse

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By James Jose

Published: Tue 16 Feb 2021, 7:43 PM

Last updated: Tue 16 Feb 2021, 7:56 PM

The second renewal of the prestigious Saudi Cup takes place this weekend in Riyadh with plenty of Group 1 or Grade 1 winners making up the 77 overseas runners. And the UAE has a sizable contingent in the eight-race card at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse, on Saturday.

The second running takes place a week earlier than last year’s inaugural staging and it is again a two-day race weekend with the International Jockeys Challenge preceding the $20 million Saudi Cup, the world’s most valuable horse race.

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Leading the line for the UAE in the 1800 metres contest that has drawn a strong and quality field is Military Law, trained by Emirati Musabbeh Al Mheiri.

The six-year-old from the illustrious Dubawi, Military Law comes into the race on the back of a brilliant win in Round 1 of the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan.

Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Military Law was a 1.25-length winner over Doug Watson’s Thegreatcollection in the 1600-metre affair during the Dubai World Cup Carnival, last month.

Military Law has five victories from 11 starts, including a second-place finish in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, last March.

Military Law had a light run under Fresu, during morning trackwork at the Meydan Racecourse on Tuesday before being shipped to Riyadh.

"He just did an easy canter today," said Maria Ritchie, assistant trainer to Musabbeh Al Mheiri. “He did a gallop (breeze) on Saturday and he’s had a couple easy days to freshen up," she added.

Ritchie said that they would ease Military Law into action over the course of the week.

"He’ll probably hand walk Wednesday, as I don’t think he’ll be able to go to the track yet. He’s done very well since his last run. We’ll probably canter on Thursday. Antonio will come in to ride him,” revealed Maria.

Last year’s Saudi Cup saw Godolphin’s Benbatl, trained by Emirati handler Saeed bin Suroor, finish third under Oisin Murphy. The other UAE runners in the field were six-time UAE Champion Trainer Satish Seemar’s North America, Emirati conditioner Salem bin Ghadayer’s Capezzano and Gronkowski.

Meanwhile, the other UAE runners in the card include Godolphin’s Gifts Of Gold, Soft Whisper, Land Of Legends and Military March, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, Secret Advisor, Rebel’s Romance, D’Bai, Glorious Journey and Space Blues, saddled by Charlie Appleby, Salem bin Ghadayer’s Meshakel and For The Top, Ismail Mohammed’s Good Effort, six-time UAE Champion Trainer Satish Seemar’s Switzerland and Al Mheiri’s Royal Dornoch.

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, the organisers of the race, said that due to the effects of covid, this season’s running is an invite-only event and will observe strict covid safety protocols.

james@khaleejtimes.com

James Jose

Published: Tue 16 Feb 2021, 7:43 PM

Last updated: Tue 16 Feb 2021, 7:56 PM

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