Isle of Jura Aims For King's Cup Victory To Conclude Season | |
Sumita Pawar |
Victorious Racing's standout contender aims for Triple Crown glory. Jockey Callum Shepherd hails Isle of Jura.
All focus shifts to Bahrain on 8th March for the 2024 King's Cup (Listed), honoring His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, and backed by Bapco Energies. With a prize purse of US$200,000, this season's climax draws a stellar lineup of international and local contenders, notably Isle Of Jura from George Scott's stable under the Victorious Racing banner
Isle Of Jura, imported from Newmarket in December, has swiftly risen in Bahrain's ranks, capturing three victories out of four outings, including the prestigious Crown Prince's Cup. His recent triumph in the HH Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup showcased his dominance. Now, he aims to complete a hat-trick of major wins within a span of five weeks by clinching the King's Cup over 2400m.
Guiding Isle Of Jura throughout his Bahrain campaign is jockey Callum Shepherd, who has witnessed the gelding's ascent from a rating of 97 to 111. Anticipating the King's Cup challenge, Shepherd expresses confidence in Isle Of Jura's capabilities despite stiff competition from Godolphin's entries.
Shepherd commented, "Isle Of Jura stands as the finest middle-distance mount I've had, with potential for further growth. While the King's Cup poses a formidable test, including formidable Godolphin contenders, our horse remains the standout contender."He has grown up noticeably while he has been in Bahrain. He's now so relaxed in a race, he really enjoys the quicker ground and he's got this high-level of raw ability that allows him to travel so well into his races and he finishes them off so well too.
"Once his handicap rating ruled him out of the Bahrain Turf Series, the King's Cup became the target. And then after he won the Crown Prince's Cup, the possibility arose of winning the 'Triple Crown'. His Highness Shaikh Nasser was keen to have a go and it would be magic if he could complete the hat-trick in the King's Cup."
Shepherd has felt the benefits of success in Bahrain back home in the UK, adding: "I have been surprised by how much attention the wins in Bahrain have received. Isle of Jura has become a flag-bearer for George (Scott) and myself this winter and it has been a real positive for us and I think he can be highly competitive in group races back in Europe this summer."
The lineup challenging Isle Of Jura includes 2023 King's Cup victor Passion And Glory, under the tutelage of Saeed Bin Suroor, alongside two other contenders from the Godolphin stables trained by Charlie Appleby: Dhahabi and King Of Conquest.
William Buick partners with Dhahabi, benefitting from recent outings. The Frankel half-brother to Derby champion Golden Horn secured a victory at Meydan in December, followed by a commendable fourth-place finish in January, narrowly trailing stablemate Siskany. King Of Conquest, piloted by Saffie Osborne, boasts previous Bahrain course success, though over shorter distances. However, he faces a five-month hiatus since his last race at Newmarket in November.
Adding to the international mix is the consistently performing Lucander, under trainer George Baker, while the local contingent is led by Goemon and the in-form Sovereign Spirit.
The race card also highlights the US$80,000 Al Methaq Mile (Listed), featuring international challenger Real World from Godolphin, up against the locally trained Byline, winner of last year's edition. Owned by Al Adiyat Racing, Byline showcased a standout performance on Saudi Cup day, clinching a close third position behind Annaf in the Group 2 race over 1350m.
The King's Cup headlines the 27th and final race meeting of the 2023-24 Bahrain season, promising a thrilling showdown in the race for season-leading owner and jockey titles.
In the owners' championship, Al Mohamediya Racing holds a slender two-win advantage over Victorious Racing. Meanwhile, the jockeys' title race sees Neil Callan narrowly leading with 19 wins, followed closely by Stephane Ladjadj with 18 wins, and Gerald Mosse in third with 16 wins. Fawzi Nass secures the trainers' crown with an impressive tally of 48 winners, followed by Allan Smith in second position.