Astro King aims for glory in the $2 million Neom Turf Cup.
Daniel and Claire Kubler are gearing up for a thrilling showdown at the upcoming Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh, with their star contender Astro King set to showcase his prowess on Saturday.
The seasoned gelding, Astro King, enjoyed a triumphant season last year, clinching victories in prestigious races like the Sky Bet Finale at York and the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket. Despite a near miss in the John Smith’s Cup at Knavesmire in July, where he narrowly missed out on a win, Astro King demonstrated his mettle by finishing a commendable sixth at the Group Two Bahrain International Trophy towards the end of the season.
Setting his sights on the lucrative $2 million Neom Turf Cup, Astro King is all set for his debut this year at the esteemed Saudi Cup meeting. The race, which has been elevated from a Group Three to a Group Two status, promises an exceptional prize fund, adding to the anticipation surrounding the event.
Expressing his confidence in Astro King’s abilities, Daniel Kubler acknowledged the challenging draw in stall 11 but remains optimistic about the gelding's performance at the prestigious event.
“Astro King arrived in Saudi last Saturday and seems to have acclimatised well to the surroundings,”
Kubler remarked. He added,
“While the draw isn’t ideal, we are pleased with his preparations. His training has mirrored that of his Bahrain journey, where he put up a commendable show. Despite facing some tough luck in the past, we are hopeful that this time luck will be on our side and Astro King will bring home a share of the substantial prize money on offer”.