Maximum Security to score for US in Saudi Cup

The inaugural Saudi Cup, the world’s richest race with a staggering purse of $20m, has attracted a star-studded international field, featuring a strong US presence with Maximum Security, McKinzie, Mucho Gusto and Midnight Bisou, all Grade 1 winners, and Tacitus among the 14 horses declared.

Bob Baffert, a trainer who has enjoyed plenty of success in the Middle East, winning the Dubai World Cup three times, arrives chasing another big pot and Breeders’ Cup Classic runner up McKinzie and Mucho Gusto, impressive winner of the Pegasus World Cup, carries his hopes.

Maximum Security, who suffered heartbreak in the Kentucky Derby when controversially demoted after being first past the post, missed the Pegasus World Cup to be kept fresh for the Saudi Cup. He was very impressive winning the Grade 1 Cigar Mile in December, rounding off a successful season.

Midnight Bisou, champion older dirt female, faces a stiff task in this company and is difficult to get enthusiastic about her chances in a very strong race. Tacitus, trained by Bill Mott, has had the Saudi Cup his long-term objective and arrives in the Middle East on the back of a break since running third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup in September. He’s drawn near the rails and is one to consider at decent odds.

Godolphin representative Benbatl, one of three horses flying the UAE flag, impressed on his dirt debut at Meydan last month. Reunited with Oisin Murphy, he needs to step forward facing a formidable US challenge.

Globe-trotting Magic Wand, representing Coolmore and Aidan O’ Brien, has been done no favours with her draw in stall 12, and is readily dismissed on her dirt debut. She’s likely to continue the dismal record of Galileo’s progeny on the surface.

The supporting card, worth $9.2m, is very attractive and there is no shortage of smart performers making the trip to Riyadh.

Impressive UAE Oaks winner Down On Da Bayou makes a quick reappearance in the Saudi Derby, one of five fillies in the field. She routed her rivals at Meydan, posting a dominating performance from the front. If recovered from her exertions and the trip to Riyadh from Dubai, she should go close.

Mike de Kock’s unbeaten Bella Fever, the sole South American– bred three-year-old in the race, switches to dirt after causing a surprise on her Meydan debut in the Meydan Classic trial. That performance deserves to be marked up as she was tardy at the gates and was returning from a 340-day break. The switch to dirt isn’t a concern, having won her first three races on the surface.

In an open-looking race and tough event to evaluate, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf runnerup Billy Batts, is one to consider switching to dirt, along with the Steve Asmussen-trained Rowdy Yates who comes off a victory in Sunland Park’s Riley Allison Derby.

It’s hard to see past Japan’s Deirdre in the opening Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup, a racemare that has enjoyed success on the world stage. Winner of the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood before a luckless fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes last year, she’s the class act of the race and will take plenty of beating in the hands of Oisin Murphy. Japanese international forays always demand plenty of respect, last year they enjoyed success at the highest level in Australia, Hong Kong, UAE and the UK.

The 2018 Melbourne Cup hero Cross Counter and Ascot Gold Cup second Dee Ex Bee heads the weights in the $2.5m Longines Turf Handicap, the stayer’s showpiece. The latter, now under the care of Salem bin Ghadayer, will have to improve on his recent fifth of seven in the Meydan Cup, a performance that failed to excite.

Cross Counter, chasing another big international prize, has a good record fresh, most notably winning the 2019 Dubai Gold Cup on his seasonal reappearance. The French stayers Call The Wind and Call The Bar can’t be overlooked in tricky contest. Prince Of Arran, placed in the last two Melbourne Cups, is a smart stayer and has the assistance of James Doyle, a rider enjoying a good year in Dubai. Frankie Dettori is an eye-catching booking for the Irish stayer True Self. Trained by Willie Mullins, she thrived in Australia late last year, winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes after a narrow defeat to Prince Of Arran in the Geelong Cup.

Progressive Gladiator King is unbeaten in two races, the Dubawi Stakes and Al Shindagha Sprint, since joining Dubai-based trainer Satish Seemar has strong claims in the Saudia Sprint. The race over 1200m on dirt looks a weaker event after Breeders’ Cup Sprint runnerup Shancelot was ruled out.

Imperial Hint, the multiple Grade 1 winner, has made the trip and looks the one to beat. A creditable third behind XY Jet in last year’s Golden Shaheen, he has demonstrated he can perform overseas and the seven-year-old, the highest rated runner in the line-up, is fancied to take the prize back to the US.

Best Bet: Race 1, No 9 Deirdre Best Value: Race 8, No 12 Tacitus Best Swinger: Race 8, 7 Maximum Security and 12 Tacitus

BiPot

Races 1 to 6

Leg 1: 9

Leg 2: 3, 10, 12

Leg 3: 1, 5, 10

Leg 4: 7, 12

Leg 5: 1, 3, 10

Leg 6: 1, 3, 11

Place Accumulator Races 2 to 8

Leg 1: 3, 9, 10, 12

Leg 2: 1, 10

Leg 3: 7, 12

Leg 4: 1, 3

Leg 5: 1, 3

Leg 6: 3, 4

Leg: 7: 7

Jackpot

Races 5 to 8 Leg 1: 1, 3, 10, 14 Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 11 Leg 3: 3, 4

Leg 4: 7, 8, 12

Pick 6

Races 3 to 8 Leg 1: 1, 5, 10 Leg 2: 7, 10, 12 Leg 3: 1, 3, 10, 14 Leg 4: 1, 3, 11 Leg 5: 4

Leg 6: 7