Racing Preview

We are delighted to welcome you to King Khalid Racecourse for the 32nd meeting of the Ta’if Season. Our nine-race card, which features a mixture of handicaps and maidens, culminates in a prestigious JCSA Award.

The first race is a 1200m maiden for locally-bred horses. Ghaith Alghaith is playing hardball in this contest, with no less than three runners amongst the field of 18. Fazaat, a filly by Ransom The Moon, steps back down to her best trip here, having placed on debut over this distance. She can improve now and could be his best contender for the win.

Race two is a handicap over 1200m for locally-bred horses rated up to 75. A winner on debut over this trip, Anaal has been unlucky not to win since. With two runs under her belt this season, this progressive filly could win again here from a handy draw in stall two.

Next is a maiden over 1600m. Wigberto Ramos’ ride, Sehar, must be taken seriously having finished second in his first ever race over 1200m, and is unlikely to disagree with a step up in trip here. A draw of two can be advantageous and help the colt to win.

Race four is an open contest over 1600m. Jimmy Jerkens’ Boltaway was very useful in the UK for Roger Charlton, winning four races, and reappears for the first time this season here. This may not be his ideal trip based on previous form, but the son of Dubawi is near the top of the ratings and could chase Raaed home.

An Arabian horses’ maiden follows, again over 1600m. Jade De Carrere has hit a patch of good form, consistent placing lately and can be expected to follow this up with another good run, with her helpful fillies’ weight allowance.

Race six is an Arabian horses’ handicap over 1600m for those rated 90-105. Drawn close together, this race looks to be between grey colts Saloum Al Khalediah and Jamran Al Khalediah. Though equal in the ratings, the former has the better form over this trip and may get the upper hand here.

The seventh race is a locally-bred horses’ maiden over 2000m. Stepping up in trip with Luis Morales in the saddle is Naseer Alenaya, whose form over lesser trips has been good this season. A longer distance may be what he needs to get his head in front.

Our eighth race is a handicap over 2000m for locally-bred horses. Aaleena could be the one to win this, having placed second over 1800m last season. Three underwhelming races over shorter trips this season suggest that a step up is required, and a comfortable draw of two should help the son of Flashy Bull on his way. Finally, our last race is the valuable JCSA Award, run over 1600m and worth SAR130,000. Uncle, who was useful for Richard Hannon in the UK when placing twice over 1200m and 1700m, is of strong interest having won last time out over this trip and being well placed in stall four. He must beat Final Destination, however, who is higher in the ratings and also won over this trip last time out. A wider draw might put the son of Havana Grey at a disadvantage, however.