Bella Fever is in fine fettle for Saudi Derby

BELLA Fever, unbeaten in four starts in her native Uruguay, made history at Meydan recently when she became the first Uruguayan-bred to win in Dubai. She scored in the $100,000 Meydan Classic Trial.

The Mike de Kock-trained three-year-old will be carrying top weight of 57.5kg in the $US800,000 Samba Saudi Derby over 1800m on dirt at King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Riyadh on Saturday.

Bella Fever has arrived in Riyadh accompanied by Mike, Declan Cronin and groom, Shorty Feni and Mike reported: “She travelled very well. She has the biggest weight in a strong field but she’s good, she can run.

Bella Fever, enjoying a bite to eat in her Saudi stable, with handler Shorty Feni.

“Bella Fever is drawn wide at 13 of 14, but in  my view that’s not always a negative on sand. Irad Ortiz has been booked for the ride, he’s a top US jock who rode Mubtaahij into fourth for us behind American Pharoah in the 2015 Belmont Stakes.

Saudi-Arabia is the 10th racing jurisdiction which Mike has visited to race. “We’re excited, it’s great to be here. It reminds me of the good days when we were racing around the world. The quarantine rules have curtailed our movements, but we look forward to reviving  interest again soon.” 

Racing fans and punters are in for a treat as the inaugural edition of the Saudi Cup horse racing event (incl the Derby) will be broadcast on Tellytrack 1 (channel 239 on DStv) while TAB will offer a full bouquet of betting options.

A video of Bella Fever checking into her Saudi stable, below.