TRIP IS UP AELA MAHLEK’S ALLEY

King Abdullah Cup runner-up looks hard to beat with jockey Ferreira back in the saddle

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Aela Mahlek (Ricardo Ferreira) shedding his maiden status at King Abdulaziz racecourse in Riyadh on Dec 14, 2024. The Abdullah Al Kahtani-trained colt has since doubled his haul with a different rider, but Ferreira will be back aboard in his bid for a third win in Race 8 on Nov 14. PHOTO: JOCKEY CLUB OF SAUDI ARABIA

(JOCKEY CLUB OF SAUDI ARABIA)

RACE 8 (1,600M, BEST BET) @ AELA MAHLEK was runner-up in the Group 1 King Abdullah Cup in January over this course and distance. Solid efforts so far this season and looks the horse to beat.

RACE 1(1,200M)

@ KARIMI is a dual course-anddistance winner who was highly tried at Taif this summer. Drops down in grade for this assignment and the leading rider is unbeaten (1/1) when on board.

(6) MAKTHORH is a two-time course-and-distance scorer who ran three nice races at Taif this summer. Not without a chance now back at Riyadh.

(7) MITOLEYA is a classy type with a lofty official rating in the context of this affair. She seems to be rounding back into form on the evidence on her fourth-placed finish here last week.

(4) ALBAAZ ALASH HAB is a course winner (1,400m) who has been knocking at the door recently with two runner-up efforts. Place contender.

RACE 2 (1,200M)

(43) ALSSAHALAH was a runnerup behind talented types on her first two outings before shaping well in the Taif Cup. Fourth of 17 over course and distance earlier this month and is the horse to beat.

(16) MUSTABRIQAH is an unraced Palace filly out of a local-bred mare who won four times from six starts. Precocious pedigree.

(7) MAKEETH is an unraced Mucho Gusto colt out of a UK-trained mare. Will need more distance in time but cannot be totally written off for leading connections.

(5) MOTAFA’ELAH has clear place claims on her runner-up finish at Taif in September and it might be worth forgiving her last two efforts in higher grades.

RACE 3 (1,400M)