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The Barbara Joseph-Paul Jones trained Al Ahmar chases back to back cup wins in the $20,000 Quickprint 2013 MTC Country Cup (2000m) at Wagga tomorrow.
And the event will also act as the final lead-up to the May 3, $140,000 Thomas Feary Painting Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) for the in-form six-year-old by Al Maher.
Al Ahmar comes into the Country Cup as a last start winner of the Gundagai Cup (1800m) on April 7.
“He pulled up really well after Gundagai and has trained on great,” Joseph said. “It’s a different race tomorrow, probably a bit stronger and he does go up 1kg (58kg).
“Tomorrow though is an ideal lead up race into his main goal, the Wagga Cup.”
Al Ahmar is raced by Hancox Bloodstock and the winner of nine from 46 starts.
“He’s a lovely horse,” Joseph said. “He’s a mad box walker but other than that you couldn’t ask for a nicer horse.
“He’s a beautiful horse, well put together, a good type and good looker.”
Size might not be one of Al Ahmar’s stronger points, but the 15.3 hands gelding has a good motor and will to win.
It was after the gelding’s 2.6 lengths eighth to Court Connection in the Canberra Cup on April 10 that the Wagga Cup was considered a realistic aim.
“We’d had the Wagga Cup picked out for some time but his run in the Canberra Cup was very good and confirmed our thoughts,” Joseph said.
“We were thinking about the Albury Cup but decided to go to Sydney then the Gundagai Cup.
“He’s probably best at 1600 to 1800 metres but since we’ve been riding him back and the way he’s been settling, 2000 metres isn’t beyond him.
“He’s got a good sprint when he lets down.”
Al Ahmar finished strongly for a 2.8 lengths fifth to Trick Shot over 1900m at Canterbury on March 27 prior to his Gundagai Cup success.
Joseph will have a two-pronged Wagga Cup attack with Fill The Page, due to run in Sydney Wednesday, also tackling the Listed event.
Topweight Falklands is also Wagga Cup bound after the MTC Cup.
“He’s done very well,” trainer Marc Quinn said. “I couldn’t be happier going into the race. Provided he runs up to expectations he’ll back up in the Wagga Cup.”
The four-year-old, who will carry 60kg, won the Armidale Cup two starts back.
