Saudi Cup Thriller Enters Top Five World Pool Races by Turnover

[Wandering Eyes]

Total turnover on Saturday's G1 Saudi Cup through World Pool bet types amounted to HK$62.6 million (around £6.4 million), the fourth highest total of all World Pool races since it first entered operation in 2019.

That list is headed by the 2023 G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes won by Khaadem (Ire)–for which total turnover reached HK$66.2 million (£6.7 million)–ahead of the 2022 G1 Derby won by Desert Crown (GB) (HK$66.1 million/£6.7 million) and the 2022 G1 Coronation Stakes won by Inspiral (GB) (HK$64.1 million/£6.5 million).

The amount staked on this year's Saudi Cup, in which Japanese challenger Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) came out on top at the expense of Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), also represented a 38% increase on last year's total.

Combined with turnover from five races earlier in the day from Caulfield, Australia, the 12-race, cross-card World Pool fixture generated a total of HK$382 million (£38.9 million) through World Pool bet types–the third highest of all time.

Sam Nati, head of commingling at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “There's no doubt that this year's Saudi Cup was the most exciting field we've ever seen for the race. The inclusion of Hong Kong's superstar, Romantic Warrior, would have been a massive pull for local fans and that's clearly reflected in the betting turnover. Though narrowly defeated, it was a brave bid from all connected with the horse and they deserve plenty of credit for rising to the challenge.

“The Saudi Cup meeting is now firmly on the international racing calendar, and we look forward to going there again in 12 months' time. For the second year running, World Pool offered 12 races on the day–the seven from Saudi Arabia preceded by five from Caulfield–and we saw a good appetite from punters across both cards.”

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