Qaader Just Too Good In Saudi International Handicap

24 February 2023 – Qaader (IRE), representing the Kingdom of Bahrain, proved just a little too classy in the Saudi International Handicap presented by Al Rajhi Bank as he came with a telling run inside the 200m to put away a diverse cast chasing the US$500,000 purse.

Famed Bahraini trainer Fawzi Nass prepared the winner although the Night Of Thunder five-year-old had been based in Saudi Arabia for over a year.

Alberto Sanna did the steering and they won by a length and three-quarters from local runner Palavecino (FR). Czech Republic hope Stronger Together (GB) was the best of the European runners in third, performing with great distinction having taken up the running at the halfway point. Sir Roque (FR) ran fourth for Spain.

Palavecino had the run of the race tracking the leader on the rail and picked up the lead just after entering the homestretch but could not match Qaader’s finishing burst.

The victory capped quite the week for Italian jockey Sanna who had won the HH The Amir Trophy in Doha, Qatar just six days earlier.

Alberto Sanna, jockey of Qaader, said: "It’s nice to remind the world that I can ride in the big races.

"I have won on this horse before here and I know that he can race keenly. He was a little bit free on me again today, but he settled better when Cristian [Demuro, jockey of Stronger Together] went forward on his horse. At the top of the straight he was travelling well and I was pretty confident I could run them down in front of me. He is very smart.”

Fawzi Nass, trainer of Qaader said: "I have kept him racing here rather than Bahrain as he has a bit of a knee-action and the surface is a little more forgiving than at home. He won well – I guess that’s why he was at the top of the handicap!"

Luis Saez, jockey of Palavecino said: "My horse tried really hard but in the end he couldn’t quite get there, but it’s still a really good result."

Cristian Demuro, jockey of the third placed Stronger Together said: "Brave run from him, he did well to hang on for third. Great credit to his connections to run so well."

***ENDS***