Bahrain Turf Series: George Baker hopeful of more success

The third and fourth £60,000 contests in the latest Bahrain Turf Series take place on Friday and trainer George Baker is optimistic of his chances of further success in the Middle East with new recruit Watchya.

Baker struck with Lucander in Al Muharraq Cup earlier this month and believes Watchya can put up a bold show at Sakhir after bring purchased at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training sale in October. H

“Watchya has really pleased me and the team in Bahrain," said Baker. "We are delighted with him and he is in good order.

"Pat Cosgrave rides for me as he did with Lucander and we go into the race full of hope. We think he is an exciting, young, progressive sprinter and we are hopeful of a bold run in his first race for us.”

The are 15 further rivals in a strong field of 15 for the Al Riffa Cup over the straight six furlongs, with the David O’Meara-trained Nomadic Empire bidding to continue winning ways in Bahrain following success in Al Manama Cup last time out under Al Mohamediya Racing’s retained rider Neil Callan.

Local trainer Alan Smith’s Instinctive Move and the Roger Fell-trained Digital, second and third respectively last time to Nomadic Empire, looking to reverse form on Friday.

Fell said: "Digital ran a really nice race last time out finishing a close third. He has gone up 4lbs = but we are hoping he's come on for the run and over six furlongs can run a really nice race.”

Last season's most successful trainer in the Series, Hesham Al Haddad, has three chances as Laieth and Kinks both make their seasonal reappearances while Fighter Pilot will be looking to build on his run in Al Manama Cup last time out.

Hesham said: “Fighter Pilot has performed well in his previous races. Unfortunately last time out he was disappointing but hopefully he will bounce back and we will see a good race from him. Kinks is a tricky horse, he will be better over this distance of 1200m rather than a sharper 1000m. Laieth is a very nice horse. He ran in the Series last year and we have very high hopes for him this year.”

Eleven contenders are set to line up for Al Dana Cup over 10 furlongs and trainer Alice Haynes hopes for a nice run from her first runner in Bahrain as Mr Professor takes his chance for Amo Racing.

Haynes said: "We have three races set out for him from the 13th January onwards but we think this is a great opportunity for him to have a run. The likely fast pace will suit him and we can see how he handles the track and get a good feel ahead of his next three runs.

"He has done nothing but flourish since being in Bahrain, he has his summer coat back, he is eating well and we have Andrea Atzeni booked to ride. We are hopeful of a good run and he will certainly improve from it.”

Hesham Al Haddad has four in the race as he looks to get off the mark in this year’s Bahrain Turf Series. What A Welcome, second on his seasonal reappearance last time, will be hoping to go one better now under Andrew Breslin.

"What a Welcome had a good break in the summer and he ran very well and exceeded expectations last time," said Al Haddad. "I think he has another very fair chance."

Of his other runners, the trainer added: “Classical Wave is no stranger to the Series having run in it last year and most of our hopes would be with him. We also have Arctic Emperor, who will be ridden by Liam Keniry and I think he has a very good chance but possibly best of our runners is The Covex Kid as he has been performing very well in his last races having won his last two even though this will be a strong test for him.”

On regaining his title as leading trainer for the Series this year he added: “We have a very strong team and very good management from Mr Fawzi Nass and it was the plan set by him to try and win as many Bahrain Turf Series races as we can. Fingers crossed we are able to do the same this year. I was very happy that the European horses were able to win last time as it shows a fair game for everyone.”