Gosden family has Mishriff ready for dirt test in Saudi Cup

Ever since he finished second in last year’s Saudi Derby, Mishriff has been running exclusively on turf. In Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup, the Make Believe colt will try dirt again, and assistant trainer Thady Gosden said the post draw might hold the key to success.

Mishriff’s connections are hoping to start the race from the outside. Last year the colt found success in the Saudi Derby from the 12th of 13 post positions.

“For our horses it suits them a little better because they’re not used to the kickback,” Gosden said in an interview released by the Saudi Cup. “Obviously the mile and a quarter for the Saudi Cup, it’s a great long run into the bend so if you can try and stay out wide and out of the kickback, that will help.”

The Irish-bred 4-year-old, trained by Gosden’s father John Gosden, who opted to stay in Great Britain, arrives for the Saudi Cup following an eighth-place finish in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on Oct. 22. In his 2021 debut, he will hope to recapture the form that helped him rattle off a 3-race winning streak last year.

That streak included a victory in the Prix Du Jockey Club at Chantilly. Gosden brushed off the previous loss and provided some reasoning for entering the Saudi Cup.

“He ran well throughout the season,” Gosden said. “Champions Day at the end of the year, that bottomless ground was a bit of a blip, but not many handled it that day. Obviously the owner, Prince Faisal, is from Saudi Arabia, so he was very keen to bring him out here again.

Gosden said after observing the colt’s work that he was taking well to the dirt track.

“I think he enjoys it,” Gosden said. “Obviously he was here last year so he knows his way around here a bit and he seemed in good form. He’s changed his edge well and moving well and happy to be here.”

The Saudi Cup is expected to include top competition, including Knicks Go, running for trainer Brad Cox, and Charlatan for Bob Baffert. The 1 1/8-mile race is set to go off Saturday at King Abdulaziz.

“It’s a great level of competition indeed,” Gosden said. “Top class horses from all over the world.”