UAE- Formbook thrown out of the window in Saudi Cup undercard

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) It was a landmark day at the inaugural Saudi Cup and the formbook was thrown out of the window in what was a rich undercard on Saturday night.

Rank outsiders went on to rake in the riches as the favourites fumbled on a seemingly fair King Abdulaziz Racetrack, on the outskirts of the Saudi Arabian capital.

Cross Counter, the Melbourne Cup winner in 2018, finished fifth in $2,500,000 The Longines Turf Handicap, with Call The Wind, saddled by Freddy Head and ridden by Olivier Peslier, winning the 3000 metres stayers affair by two and a half lengths over Mekong.

Godolphin's Cross Counter, trained by Charlie Appleby and the mount of William Buick, missed out on fourth, a head behind Contago.

Meanwhile, Godolphin's Final Song, saddled by Saeed bin Suroor, was third behind winner Japan's Full Flat and Mishriff in The Samba Saudi Derby run over a mile.

Dubai-based Indian trainer Satish Seemar's Gladiator's Gladiator King finished third in The Saudia Cup Sprint run over 1600 metres. Saudi Arabia's New York Central won the race.

Earlier, in what was a day of many firsts, history was made in Saudi Arabia when rank outsider Port Lions showed a lion's heart in landing the first ever turf race to be held in the Kingdom.

Saddled by Bahraini handler Fawzi Nass, Port Lions, the five-year-old from Kodiac, edged past favourite Japanese mare Deirdre in thrilling fashion - by a head - in the 2100-metre contest.

Port Lions, overcame a slow start under Adrie de Vries for a come-from-behind victory, to notch his sixth win in 14 starts.

Emirati handler Salem bin Ghadayer's For The Top, who led heading into the home stretch, finished a half length behind Deirdre.

"It feels absolutely amazing to win the first turf race here in Saudi Arabia," a grinning Fawzi Nass said.

"Of course, we came here with some hope but to actually accomplish that is amazing. He missed the break quite badly, which didn't help but obviously we know he's got a very nice turn of foot. I wasn't sure if he could do that from so far back off a slow pace but obviously he managed. He has just improved and improved. He's a proper fast ground horse and has done very well since he came to Bahrain," he added.

And it turned out to be a one-two for the Kingdom of Bahrain as legendary jockey Frankie Dettori put pedal to the metal on Dark Power to nick a win past Mubtasim, the ride of James Doyle, in the $1,000,000 stc 1351 Cup, the second race of the evening.

Conditioned by Allan Smith and owned by Al Adiyat Racing Dark Power, the son of Dark Angel, won the 1351-metre affair by a short head over Mubtasim, saddled by Godolphin's Charlie Appleby. Appleby's Glorious Journey came in third under William Buick.

Dettori performed his famous 'Flying Dismount' after returning the winners' enclosure as Dark Power racked up his seventh victory in 17 starts.

"Sheikh Isa (His Highness Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Deputy Chairman, Al Adiyat Racing) is a friend of mine. I've been going to Bahrain for the last five years and I took the ride a month ago," said Dettori.

"I didn't know what to expect to be honest with you, but this is an amazing feeling. To win a race like this for your mates is a double-whammy," added the Italian.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian jockey Adel Alfouradi piloted Omsiyaatee to victory in The Jockeys Club Handicap run over 1800 metres on dirt. Trained by Ghaith Alghaith, Omsiyaatee won by a half length over Be Azn Allah, ridden by Mickael Barzalona.

Saudi Arabia's Tallaab Al Khalediah, a winner of the Dubai Kahayla Classic at the Dubai World Cup in 2018, landed The Obaiya Cup, the only Purebred Arabian contest on the card, also on dirt.

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