Rachel, Woodruff team up in Riyadh

Ed Marnane

The Saudi International Jockeys Challenge at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on the opening day of the Saudi Cup weekend in Riyadh on Friday, has attracted many of the top riders in the world. They include four-time Longines World’s Best Jockey and former British Champion Ryan Moore, three-time Melbourne Cup winner Damian Oliver, who has returned out of retirement for the event, along with US-based Luis Saez who returns to Saudi Arabia looking to defend his crown.

Rachel Venniker, one of seven female riders competing against seven male jockeys in the Saudi International Jockeys Challenge, is the first South African invited to ride in this event.

In opening leg, over 1600m on dirt and worth $400,000 (R7.5m), she rides Aedate for compatriot Geoff Woodrow. Drawn in stall No 7, the four-year-old colt, winner of two of his eight races, is taking a big drop in class, having contested The Custodian Of The Two Holy Mosques Cup, a local Group 1 last time out.

He wasn’t disgraced in the contest finishing a close-up seventh and warrants respect.

In Round 2, over 1400m on dirt, Venniker partners locally bred Besht Alkhakem, a winner over the course and distance last month. He has had his limitations exposed in two runs since when raised in class so will appreciate the drop in grade.

Irish-bred National Gallery, Venniker’s ride in Round 3 over 1200m on turf, has to snap a losing run going back to August last year. The Caravaggio gelding, a winner for Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien earlier in his career, has struggled for form recently and looks up against in a competitive handicap.

The Saudi International Jockeys Challenge rounds off with a 2100m handicap on turf. Venniker rides Cliffs Of Fury who is fitted with blinkers and a tongue-tie and is winless since late in 2022.

A three-time winner in the UK, Cliffs Of Fury will have to improve to play a leading role. The switch to grass may spark improvement, though.

Selections:

Race 1: 10 HADAABAH 3 ISTITA’AEH 8 ALAMYA

Race 2: 4 AEDATE 5 MIN ALSHAKIREEN 7 SHIBL LAT’TAAM

Race 3: 2 ALAEWAAGEE 3 AETHBAARAAT 4 JOHAR BLAADI

Race 4: 6 AEZM ALRIYADG 1 MOTAWASSI 16 HOUR ALENAYA

Race 5: 1 PAGAN 5 WILLIAM TELL 3 ETISALAT

Race 6: 7 MIGHTY RIVER 10 MISTER MISTER 1 BISMILLAH AELEYH

Race 7: 4 MY MAP 5 TAITA 6 COMMISSIONER KING

Race 8: 6 TILAL AL KHALEDIAH 8 BINT GHALIAT AL KHALEDIAH