Manama: Five feature events in a card of seven are the highlights of today’s horse racing at Sakhir.
The richest race of the day – for the Gulf Petrochemmical Industries Company Cup (GPIC Cup) for locally bred horses which carries a cash prize of BD3,000 and to be run over 2,400 metres, starting at 4.30pm – has attracted the smallest field of five horses.
Riyaah, owned by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and to be ridden by Andrew Elliott, is the best bet to win this race ahead of its nearest challengers Knight And Day and Sun Dancer.
The second GPIC Cup carries a cash prize of BD2,000 and is for imported horses to be run over 2,000 metres, starting at 4.05pm.
Of the 11 horses in the fray, Peak Royale, owned by Al Mallah Syndicate, trained by Jalil Al Mallah and to be ridden by Andrew Elliott, looks in best shape to win this race.
Shura Council and Crown of Aragon are the second and third favourites respectively.
The race for the Racing Office Cup, a handicap event, carries a cash prize of BD2,000 and to be run over 1,600 metres, starting at 3.40pm, has attracted the biggest field of 14 runs.
But No Doubt, owned by H and R Stables, trained by Alan Smith and to be ridden by Brett Doyle, is likely to win this race while its closest challengers Karma Chameleon and Rio Mio are expected to give the favourite a run for its money.
Slip Sliding Away, owned by Al Nasseriyeh, trained by Alan Smith and to be ridden by Brett Doyle, is the favourite to win the Studbook Office Cup for locally bred horses which carries a cash prize of BD2,000 and to be run over 1,000 metres straight, starting at 3.15pm.
Grace Kelly and Rayaash are the second and third favourites respectively.
Ballyorban, owned by Jasim Mohammed Alzaki, trained by Osama Hashim and to be ridden by Ali Hasan, looks in best shape to win the Apprentice Jockey Cup, an event for apprentice jockeys, which carries a cash prize of BD2,000 and to be run over 1,200 metres straight, starting at 2.25pm.
Prince Bonnaire and Restaurateur are the second and third favourites respectively.
The day’s action begins at 2pm with first of the two support races.
Shamikh, owned by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and to be ridden by Andrew Elliott, is the favourite to win this race ahead of its nearest challengers Tickity Boo and Nardeen.
Al Jellaby 1434, owned by Al Jasra, trained by Yousif Taher and to be ridden by Husain Makki, is tipped to win the second support race which is for Arabian horses carrying a cash prize of BD1,500 and to be flagged off at 2.50pm.
Mlolshan 1627 and Obeyan 1620 are the second and third favourites respectively.