THE new horse racing season starts today at Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir with eight feature races on the cards.
The race for the Late Shaikh Rasid bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup (Opening Day Cup) for locally bred horses, carrying a cash prize of BD5,000 and to be run over 1,600 metres, starting at 4.30pm, has attracted the biggest field of 17 horses.
But Jadeel, owned by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and to be ridden by Andrew Eliott, looks in best shape to win this race ahead of its nearest challengers The Dark Knight and Hasbah.
Laidback Romeo, owned by Al Adiyat Racing, trained by Alan Smith and to be ridden by Gerald Mosse, is the favourite to win the Late Shaikh Rashid bin Isa al Khalifa Cup for imported horses, carrying a cash prize of BD5,000 and to be run over 1,600 metres, starting at 4.05pm.
Emerald and Gold Spinner are the second and third favourites respectively.
Tulip Fever, owned by Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and to be ridden by Andrew Elliott, is tipped to win the Late Shaikh Rashid bin Isa al Khalifa Cup carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 and to be run over 1,000 metres straight, starting at 3.40pm.
Goodwood Crusader is the second favourite and Grey Z the third favourite.
The race for the Late Shaikh Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup for locally bred horses, carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 and to be run over 1,000 metres straight, starting at 3.15pm, has attracted the smallest field of five horses.
Riyada, owned by Shaikh Isa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and to be ridden by Andrew Elliott, is the best bet to win this race ahead of its nearest challengers Dushanbe and Ramani.
Favourites
Al Jellaby 1661, owned by Al Jasra, trained by Yousif Taher and to be ridden by Richard Mullen, is expected to win the Late Shaikh Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup for Arabian horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 and to be run over 1,200 metres, starting at 2.50pm.
Kuheilaan Aafas 1708 and Musannaan 1689 are the second and third favourites respectively.
Misterioso, owned by Victorious, trained by Alan Smith and to be ridden by Gerald Mosse, is likely to win the Late Shaikh Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 and to be run over 1,400 metres, starting at 2.25pm.
Nibras Bounty and Joe’s Spirit are expected to give the favourite a run for its money.
The day kicks off at 2pm with the race for the Late Shaikh Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup for locally bred horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 and to be run over 1,400 metres.
Of the six horses in the fray, Zalazel, owned by Shaikh Isa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and to be ridden by Andrew Elliott, is tipped to win this race ahead of its nearest challengers Blue Fern and Asir.