Horse Racing
Season
Saudi International Handicap - Form Comments

23/02/2024 13:25

2100m – Turf

1

Finest Sound

Chances here if he can repeat some of his best past form that included a second in a G1 at Meydan in 2022. No worries with the trip.

2

Goemon

Came from the back to win a minor event at Bahrain in November. Beaten 7L in a Meydan handicap last month though didn’t have an ideal passage.

3

My Frankel

Won a big local prize at this track in December, always travelling nicely close to the pace and swiftly asserting in the closing stages. Third in this in 2022, and likely to make a big show again.

4

Flying Visit

Never looked like winning but was doing his best work at the finish in a G3 over this trip at this meeting last year. Probably needed a recent start when just tiring late.

5

The Covex Kid

Really tough and consistent, always giving his best. Has plenty of winning form, first in the UK and more recently in Bahrain. Third here last month, brave as usual just tiring late on.

6

Zagato

A winner in Bahrain in December over longer than this trip and in January over shorter. A respectable fourth in a stronger event than those races earlier this month.

7

King Shalaa

Finished second in this event back in 2022 which is a clear positive, though he has been very lightly raced since.

8

Silawi

Led for most of the way when a close second in a 2400m G3 in France last year. Based in Qatar now he was outclassed but still performed encouragingly in a G1 at Meydan last month.

9

Austral

Gradually progressive when trained in France and winner of one of his four starts since moving to Qatar. Narrowly beaten over 2000m last time.

10

Furioso

Career highlight so far when winning a local G2 over 2000m, run at St Moritz, Switzerland, back in 2022. Now based in Spain, he probably faces a stiff task here.

11

Slava Ukraini

Closed late to win several races in Denmark in 2022. Showed plenty of ability again last year winning twice in Ovrevoll, Norway, including a valuable 1980m event there in last October.

12

Finely Tuned

An outsider when competing in this event back in 2022, finishing seventh. Hard to make a serious case for this Spanish-trained contender.

13

Sir Roque

Has some quite decent form in Spain last year and though reaching the veteran stage now the booking of Christian Demuro is positive.

14

Abha

Showed promise when based in France, but the highlight of her career was winning last year’s Czech Derby (2400m), that country’s signature race. Expected to be ridden from off the pace.

 

Reserve

 

15

Khartoum

Twice a winner when Irish-trained and wasn’t beaten far in a G3 and a G2. Has shown some flair in Saudi Arabia also including a 2000m win here in November.