Photo: JCSA
TAIF, Saudi Arabia — Aba Almae’aly (KSA) delivered a commanding performance Friday at King Khalid Racecourse, capturing the SAR150,000 JCSA Sprint Cup and turning the tables on several familiar rivals in one of the featured events of the Taif meeting.
Representing the Red Stable of HRH Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz, Aba Almae’aly completed the 1,200 meters on dirt in 1:19.347, scoring by 1 1/2 lengths under jockey Abdullah Alawfi for trainer Abdullah Al Kahtani.
The victory continued an excellent run of form for the 3-year-old gelding, who entered the JCSA Sprint Cup off a conditions-race victory on August 28.
Aba Almae’aly confirms his strong form
Aba Almae’aly was one of the leading contenders entering Friday’s feature after his recent success, and he backed that performance up with an even bigger victory against a competitive group of Saudi sprinters.
Behind the winner, Muf Alwa’ayed (KSA) claimed second for jockey Alexis Moreno and trainer Abdulaziz Almosa, finishing 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner in 1:19.603.
Alqasstteli (KSA) completed the top three, another two lengths back in 1:19.940, with Mohammad Alhubail aboard for trainer Muteb Almulawah.
Aez Alkhatir fourth in White Stable debut
Much of the pre-race attention centered on Aez Alkhatir (KSA), who was making his first appearance in the colors of the White Stable of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz & Sons.
Coming off his victory in last month’s Alhada Cup, Aez Alkhatir entered Friday looking to extend his strong recent form while continuing under trainer Homoud Alshamari and jockey Fahad Alfouraidi.
The 3-year-old gelding was unable to match Aba Almae’aly this time but still produced a solid effort to finish fourth, recording a time of 1:20.406. He finished 2 3/4 lengths behind third-place Alqasstteli.
The result was particularly interesting considering the form lines connecting Aba Almae’aly and Aez Alkhatir entering the race. Both had recently defeated Ana Aljonubiyah, while Aez Alkhatir had also been runner-up in the Sarawat Cup during The Saudi Cup weekend.
This time, however, it was Aba Almae’aly who decisively came out on top.
Alklothani completes the top five
Alklothani (KSA), winner of the JCSA Sprint Cup Prep and another major player coming into Friday, finished fifth under Adel Alfouraidi in 1:20.964.
Wayak (KSA) was sixth, followed by Toufan Najd (KSA) in seventh.
The Red Stable also had Thamer Almoghtarah (KSA) in the lineup. Ridden by Abdulaziz Alyaeish for trainer Fahad Saad, he finished eighth in 1:21.453.
JCSA Sprint Cup — Top 5
| Finish | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | Aba Almae’aly (KSA) | Abdullah Alawfi | Abdullah Al Kahtani | 1:19.347 |
| 🥈 2nd | Muf Alwa’ayed (KSA) | Alexis Moreno | Abdulaziz Almosa | 1:19.603 |
| 🥉 3rd | Alqasstteli (KSA) | Mohammad Alhubail | Muteb Almulawah | 1:19.940 |
| 4th | Aez Alkhatir (KSA) | Fahad Alfouraidi | Homoud Alshamari | 1:20.406 |
| 5th | Alklothani (KSA) | Adel Alfouraidi | Abdullah Abdulrahman | 1:20.964 |
For Aba Almae’aly, the JCSA Sprint Cup victory adds another important success to an increasingly impressive campaign and gives the Red Stable another significant result during the Taif season.
And after entering the race with several intriguing form lines connecting the main contenders, Friday provided a clear answer: Aba Almae’aly was the one to beat in the JCSA Sprint Cup.
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