Trainer Sheikh Mohammed has confirmed he will talk with Benbatl’s owner before making a decision on the Saudi Cup.
Benbatl, a multiple Group One winner on turf, started 2020 off in style with an impressive victory at Meydan in January in the Singspiel Stakes Presented By Longines Master Collection.
The six-year-old then showed his versatility by winning the second round of the Al Maktoum Challenge at the same track, beating Military Law by two lengths in what was his first try on a dirt surface.
Connections are now deliberating whether to send Benbatl to Riyadh later this month for the inaugural running of the Saudi Cup and Mohammed has revealed he will have talks with the Godolphin owners before making a choice.
“He ran well. He’s got the invitation for the Saudi Cup and then obviously there’s the World Cup as well, they are the two races for him now,” he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. “I want to see how he is over the next few days.
“I talked to the boss before trying him on dirt and he agreed, and I want to talk to the boss before the Saudi Cup. The timings work well, it’s three weeks to the Saudi Cup (February 29) and then another four until the Dubai World Cup (March 28), so that’s very good.”
