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A fortnight ago, Newmarket trainer George Scott got off to a flying start with the team of horses he sent out to Bahrain this winter.
On the opening day of the 2024-25 Bahrain Turf Series at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC), Scott saddled two winners and a second in the supporting races and today he is hoping Rocket Rodney can continue his hot streak in the $80,000 Al Riffa Cup, round two in the sprint division of the Bahrain Turf Series.
Scott enjoyed a memorable 2023-24 season in the kingdom thanks largely to the exploits of Isle Of Jura, but Rocket Rodney also paid his way at REHC when winning last season’s Al Riffa Cup. The five-year-old gelding, like Isle Of Jura, carries the colours of Victorious Racing and his trainer is hopeful of a repeat success in the 1,200m race.
Scott said: “Rocket Rodney helped kick start my career again back in 2022. He was the first horse His Highness Shaikh Nasser had with me and it is lovely to have the horse back competing in the Bahrain Turf Series.
“He seemed to like the track last year. He won here and ran very well on other occasions.
“He also ran some good races in the UK last summer. He ran well at Royal Ascot in Wokingham and also in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood from a bad draw and I think he’s handicapped to be really competitive again in Bahrain.”
Today, Rocket Rodney runs off a mark of 92, two pounds lower than when winning last season’s Al Riffa Cup. Furthermore, he comes into the race off a near identical midfield finish two weeks ago in round one of the sprint series and now steps back up to 1,200m.
Up-and-coming apprentice Liam Wright will be on board in what is a great opportunity for the young rider attached to Scott’s yard.
A typically strong and competitive field of 18 runners are declared for the Al Riffa Cup, sponsored by BBK, the final race of this evening’s card, due off at 7.35pm.
The opening round in the sprint division was dominated by locally trained horses who were responsible for the first four home and the third and fourth, Inveigle and Nomadic Empire, run again today, but the extra furlong and the benefit of a run should bring the international horses back into the equation.
Hugo Palmer’s Roman Dragon fared best of the visitors last time out finishing fifth, with James Ferguson’s Jubilee Walk one place behind in sixth. Bold shows can be expected from both, along with George Boughey’s Spangled Mac, who will appreciate the return to 1,200m.
The card also features the second round in the middle-distance division of this season’s Bahrain Turf Series – the $80,000 Al Dana Cup, run over 2,000m.
Fifteen horses are set to go to post, including seven international runners headed by the top weight, Snellen, who became the first Irish trained winner in Bahrain when impressively taking the Al Muharraq Cup, round one of the Bahrain Turf Series.
Snellen has been raised eight pounds for that success to a rating of 102, and if she can defy that she will be eyeing up the kingdom’s premier stakes races that follow.
The first four horses in the Al Muharraq Cup re-oppose today. Runner-up Majestic, trained by Jack Channon, has been raised four pounds for his excellent effort and must also overcome a wide draw in stall 15. The third-placed horse, Charlie Johnston’s Lion Of War, and the fourth, Hugo Palmer’s Box To Box, will both be hoping to go even closer this time.
And not to forget the just-turned eight-years-old, Lucander, who, in last season’s running of the Al Dana Cup, was the only horse to defeat Isle Of Jura in Bahrain.
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