Bahrain on Friday: red-hot Scott out for more success

Newmarker trainer bids to add to his fine record in Bahrain and continue his current hot streak with in the $80,000 Al Riffa Cup in round two of the Bahrain Turf Series this Friday, live on Racing TV.

A fortnight ago, Scott got off to a flying start in this year's Series with two winners and a runner-up in one of the supporting races on the back of a memorable 2023/24 campaign in the Kingdom headlined by the exploits of .

Rocket Rodney also carries the colours of Victorious Racing and Scott is hopeful of a repeat success in the 1200m race, round two in the sprint division of this year's Series. 

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 the 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.” 

Rocket Rodney runs off a mark of 92 - 2lbs lower than his winning mark in this last year -and he arrives for his repeat bid off a near-identical midfield finish two weeks ago in round one of the sprint series and now steps back up to 1200m. Up-and-coming apprentice rider Liam Wright will be on board.

A typically strong and competitive field of 18 runners are declared for the Al Riffa Cup (sponsored by BBK), the final race of Friday’s card, due off at 16:35 GMT. The opening round in the sprint division was dominated by locally-trained horses, but this extra furlong and the benefit of a run should bring the international horses back into the equation.  

Hugo Palmer’s fared best of the visitors last time out in fifth with James Ferguson’s in sixth, while George Boughey’s will appreciate the return to 1200m. 

The card also features the second round in the middle-distance division of the Bahrain Turf Series, the $80,000 Al Dana Cup, run over 2000m.  

Fifteen horses are set to go to post, including seven international runners headed by top-weight Snellen, who became the first Irish-trained winner in Bahrain when impressively taking the Al Muharraq Cup in round one of the Bahrain Turf Series. Snellen has been raised 8lb for that success, and if she can defy this rating of 102 then the Kingdom’s premier stakes races could follow.  

The first four horses in Al Muharraq Cup reoppose on Friday, with runner-up raised 4lb for his excellent effort although he must also overcome a wide draw in stall 15 for trainer Jack Channon. The third Lion Of War (Charlie Johnston) and fourth (Hugo Palmer) are back for more, while is back to retain his title for . The now eight-year-old was the only horse to defeat in Bahrain last term.