3 minute read
Class may have been the reason the Jim Crowley ridden Mostahdaf was able to produce an electric turn of foot to easily defeat his well credentialed rivals in the Neom Turf Cup (G3).
Raced by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd in a stunning time of 2:06.24 for the 2100m.
Having won two starts ago on the All-Weather at Kempton in the United Kingdom he then faced a heavy, rain affected track at Longchamp (France) in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at his last start in October where he finished last in the Classic.
Relishing the faster conditions at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Saturday, he raced clear to win by 7L defeating Dubai Future with a further five and three-quarter lengths further back to Flying Visit in third.
Settling behind the leader, Eagle's Flight, the five-year-old son of Frankel moved to take the lead on the final bend and kicked clear.
Following his win, Jim Crowley said:
"We had a lovely trip, and it was game over, turning in. He loves fast ground, and we knew he'd stay. Everything went according to plan, we just wanted to sit where he was comfortable, and he took me into the race.
From a mile-and-a-quarter to a mile-and-a-half on fast ground he can be very good. John and Thady wouldn't have run him in the Arc if they didn't think he was a very good horse. Hopefully he can keep progressing."
For Crowley, this was his first victory at the Saudi Cup meeting whilst the Gosden stable (a joint-licence between John and his son Thady) had previously tasted success at the meeting winning The Saudi Cup in 2021.
Thady Gosden added:
"We are thrilled to win the race. He was given a patient ride by Jim, and we were lucky with the draw to be in barrier four. It was a little messy in behind him but thankfully we stayed out of all of that.
"His last race was obviously the Arc, but prior to that was in the September Stakes against useful horses and he quickened up quite well that day on a sounder surface. He's a versatile horse who is pretty-comfortable in terms of trip. We'll talk to the owners and see if we take him to Dubai next month.
"We have been bringing horses here since the inaugural running of The Saudi Cup and it's great to be back and to see the development here every year. There is a great atmosphere here and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves."
Favourite Missed The Cut disappointed finished fourth with jockey Oisin Murphy explaining:
"He had a wide trip - jockey error. It's a shame, he tried."
And trainer George Boughey adding:
"Oisin had a split-second decision to make whether to go forward or back and through no fault of anyone's, he's probably ended up having to go further than the others. But that's racing. He's probably run fractionally below his best form but he'll be back. There are a lot of options for him, we'll just see how he is tomorrow."
Based on the visual performance, time recorded and winning margin, Mostahdaf has the ability to win a European G2, and possibly a G1 would not be beyond him.
