The inaugural running of the 1m 1f Saudi Cup takes place in the Middle East on Saturday with first prize worth more than £7,500,000.
In this valuable all-weather dirt race, Maximum Security can gain compensation for his controversial disqualification in last year’s Kentucky Derby.
Trained by Jason Servis, this American bred four-year-old colt progressed on his way to Churchill Downs last spring.
Maximum Security landed each of his first three starts, including the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
He then made virtually all the running in the Kentucky Derby and was first past the post, but lost the race after impeding his rivals about two-and-a-half furlongs from home.
After being headed briefly approaching two out, Maximum Security showed a willing attitude to regain the lead and keep on gamely.
Although turned over in his next race when eased to Listed level, the son of New Year’s Day has since resumed the winning thread with another three victories. They include two more Grade 1 successes.
In the first of those at Monmouth Park over this distance, Maximum Security asserted in the final 100 yards to beat the re-opposing Mucho Gusto by 1 1/4 lengths.
He later defied top weight to land the Cigar Mile Handicap last time out. As one of the younger horses lining up in the Saudi Cup, there may be even more to come from Maximum Security.
With regular pilot Luis Saez aboard, he is 11/4 favourite with Betfair to land the spoils here.
Baffert pair feared most
Two other leading American contenders are saddled by trainer Bob Baffert. Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up McKinzie has a good record fresh and is a Grade 1 winner over the trip.
The five-year-old son of Street Sense has a 50 per cent career strike rate, with seven victories from 14 outings. He has only been out of the frame once.
That highlights how consistent McKinzie is on the track. Given connections he is respected at odds of 7/2 with Ladbrokes, but his record over the trip is a slight concern.
McKinzie is only two from four at this distance, for all he has ran some massive races in defeat.
He has also failed to win in three previous attempts over further, so can be opposed if this turns into a test of stamina. Baffert’s other Saudi Cup runner is the aforementioned Mucho Gusto.
This four-year-old has advertised the Maximum Security form by landing the valuable Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park last month.
Mucho Gusto is five from 10 career starts and has only finished outside of the places one like stable companion McKinzie.
He may be open to further progress than that rival, but does have something to find with Maximum Security off level weights. As with McKinzie, he hasn’t always seen this trip or races over further out.
Again, it makes Mucho Gusto look opposable on that basis despite odds of 7/1 with Paddy Power which could be each-way value.
Benbatl also has Saudi Cup claims
The sole British trained representative Benbatl has a superb record in the Middle East and a 50 per cent career success rate, so cannot be discounted either.
Trained by Saeed bin Suroor for powerful global owners Godolphin, the six-year-old son of the mighty Dubawi took to racing on the dirt easily at Meydan last time out.
Benbatl has a fabulous record on turf at this trip, winning four of five starts over it.
He also avenged his sole defeat by Blair House by reversing form in the Ladbrokes Stakes at Caulfield in Australia.
His exploits Down Under, which also included chasing home wondermare Winx, coupled with that strong record in this region mean Benbatl should not be underestimated.
As he has demonstrated he retains plenty of ability in winning two Group 2 contests at Meydan this winter, he is well worth a place in the Saudi Cup.
Last season’s British champion Flat jockey, Oisin Murphy gets on really well with Benbatl and is back in the saddle. He has won on board six times.
Taking all that into account, Benbatl looks a solid each-way option at 7/1 with Betfred now he has proven he handles racing on the dirt.
