ONE of the most prestigious races of the horse racing season in the kingdom will be held today at Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir with a bumper prize money of BD67,300 at stake.
Three of the six races on the cards are for His Majesty King Hamad Cups.
Euginio, owned by Victorious, trained by Fawzi Nass and to be ridden by Adrie De Vries, is the best bet to win His Majesty King Hamad Cup for imported horses carrying a cash prize of BD20,000 and to be run over 2,400 metres, starting at 4.55pm.
Shogun and Deauville are the second and third favourites respectively.
Milyar, owned by Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and to be ridden by Andrew Elliott, is the favourite to win His Majesty King Hamad Cup for locally bred horses which also carries a cash prize of BD20,000 and to be run over 2,400 metres, starting at 4.30pm.
News Breaker and Al Nimra are expected to give the favourite a run for its money.
Al Hamdany 1697, owned by Safra, trained by Alan Smith and to be ridden by Gerald Mosse, is tipped to win His Majesty King Hamad Cup for Arabian horses carrying a cash prize of BD7,000 and to be run over 1,600 metres, starting at 3.40pm.
Favourites
Kuheilan Aafas 1675 and Kuheilaan Aafas 1708 are the second and third favourites respectively.
The action begins at 2.50pm with the Tattersalls Sprint, a handicap race, carrying a cash prize of BD5,000 and to be run over 1,000 metres straight with 10 horses in the fray.
It will be followed by the race for Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship (IFHRA) for Arabian horses carrying a cash prize of BD6,300 and to be run over 1,400 metres, starting at 3.15pm.
Of the 10 horses in the fray, Al Jellaby 1661, owned by victorious, trained by Yousif Taher and to be ridden by Alejandra Guiterrez, looks in best shape to win this race ahead of its nearest challengers Al Saqlawieh 1733 and Krayaan 1706.
Thorkhill Star, owned by Al Adiyat Racing, trained by Alan Smith and to be ridden by Frankie Dettori, is tipped to capture the Al Methaq Mile race for imported horses carrying a cash prize of BD9,000 and to be run over 1,600 metres, starting at 4.05pm.
Star Balestra and Baltic Knight are the second and third favourites respectively.