By Emma Berry

The venue may be largely unfamiliar on the world stage but many of the runners lining up at King Abdulaziz racecourse in Riyadh on Saturday afternoon are well known across the world of racing and they include, of course, a strong challenge from Europe. The main event, the $20-million Saudi Cup over nine furlongs on the dirt, has attracted a highly competitive American contingent, including Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) and Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute), and they will be taking on two seasoned campaigners from Europe headed by the well travelled Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore team.

The 5-year-old mare was last seen running second to Zulu Alpha (Street Cry {Ire}) in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. following a year in which she was campaigned in America, Dubai, Britain, Australia and Hong Kong as well as her native Ireland. Godolphin’s Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) may be listed as a runner for the UAE but so familiar is he to European racing fans that success for him would feel like a ‘home’ win. Following his easy victory in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge, his major target will be to give Saeed Bin Suroor a 10th win in the G1 Dubai World Cup in a month’s time. The winner now of 10 of his 20 starts in Britain, Germany, Australia and Dubai, the 6-year-old should be given the utmost respect on Riyadh’s acclaimed dirt track.

“He won well on the dirt in Dubai, so we know that isn’t a problem,” said Saeed bin Suroor on Monday when confirming Benbatl for the race. “He’s been working well since and he’sin good form. The race will be very tough, we know that, but we’re looking forward to seeing him run.”

 

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