ONE of Bahrain’s most prestigious horse race is scheduled for today at Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir.
The Bahrain Gold Cup, sponsored by Viva, for imported horses, carrying the richest prize of the day of BD10,000, is among six feature races in a card of seven.
Thorkhill Star, owned by Al Adiyat Racing, trained by Alan Smith and to be ridden by Frankie Dettori, is the favourite to win this race, to be run over 2,000 metres, starting at 5.30pm, ahead of its nearest challengers Vale Do Sol and Bermondsey.
Bahrain Derby, sponsored by Viva, for locally bred horses, carrying a cash prize of BD5,100 and to be run over 2,000 metres, starting at 5.05pm, has attracted just three horses.
But Sabreh, owned by Abdulla Fawzi Nass, trained by Fawzi Nass and to be ridden by Husain Makki, looks in best shape to win this race.
Parchment and Miryah are the second and third favourites respectively.
Wayne Looney, owned by H and R Stables, trained by Alan Smith and to be ridden by Sadiq Hameed, is tipped to win the Viva Jusoor Cup carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 and to be run over 1,400 metres, starting at 4.40pm.
Blues Guitar and Nardeen are the second and third favourites respectively.
Shamaliya, owned by Al Awlad Syndicate, trained by James Naylor and to be ridden by Carlos Henrique, is the best bet to win the Viva Cup for imported horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 and to be run over 1,600 metres, starting at 4.15pm.
Sahara and Medicean Ballet are the second and third favourites respectively.
Tipped
Al Jellaby 1544, owned by Hamad Al Merisi, trained by Yousif Taher and to be ridden by Abdulla Faisal, is tipped to win the Viva Waho Cup for Arabian horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 and to be run over 1,600 metres, starting at 3.50pm.
Al Hamdaany 1680 and Al Saqlawy 1578 are the second and third favourites respectively.
Jim Rockford, owned by Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Isa Al Khalifa, trained by Abdulla Kuwaiti and to be ridden by Brett Doyle, looks in best shape to win the Viva Elite Cup for imported horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 and to be run over 1,200 metres, starting at 3.25pm.
Ramani and Mayalee are the second and third favourites respectively.
The day’s action begins at 3pm with the only support race of the event, for locally bred horses, which has attracted the biggest field of 11 horses. This race carries a cash prize of BD1,500 and will be run over 1,000 metres straight.
Confirm A Friend, owned by Victorious, trained by Alan Smith and to be ridden by Andrew Elliott, is tipped to win this race.
Saoob and Blue Angel are expected to give the favourite a run for its money.