JAPAN and America are expected to dominate the thoroughbred races at next weekend’s US$35 million Saudi Cup fixture at King Abdulaziz racetrack in Riyadh.

Saturday’s card is headlined by the $20 million Saudi Cup over nine furlongs on dirt. The first running in 2021 was won by John Gosden’s Mishriff, with David Egan on board. Last year’s edition saw local 50/1 shot Emblem Road pounce late to beat US stars Country Grammer and Midnight Bourbon.

The 2022 fixture was also memorable for its four Japanese-trained winners (Authority, Songline Stay Foolish and Dancing Prince). Next Saturday Japan is expected to field 20 runners across the card. Although the Japanese dirt horses are generally not as good as their turf horses, they have a strong Saudi Cup challenger in Jun Light Bolt, winner of the Champions Cup in Japan in December and the mount of Ryan Moore next Saturday.

Bob Baffert has the two favourites for the Saudi Cup in Taiba and last year’s runner-up Country Grammer. Frankie Dettori will ride Country Grammer, the partnership having won the Dubai World Cup following their agonising Saudi defeat last year.

Mike Smith will partner likely favourite Taiba who was last seen winning the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita over Christmas by almost five lengths.

On the turf, the George Boughey-trained Missed The Cut is strong favourite for the Neom Turf Cup over an extended 10 furlongs. Godolphin has supplemented recent Meydan winner White Moonlight for this contest.

Godolphin’s Creative Force heads the market for the 1351 Turf Sprint (six and a half furlongs), with last year’s winner Songline leading the Japanese challenge.

The 2021 Ascot Gold Cup winner Subjectivist is expected to make his long-awaited return to action in the 15-furlong Red Sea Handicap. Now trained by Charlie Johnston, the six-year-old picked up a leg injury a month after his Royal Ascot success and has been sidelined ever since.

Ebor winner Trawlerman, trained by John and Thady Gosden for Godolphin, is second favourite behind Subjectivist for this race.

Bob Baffert won the Saudi Derby last year with Pinehurst and has the favourite again in Havnameltdown, a Grade 2 winner in Santa Anita last month.

There are no Irish-trained entries for any of the races.

Friday’s card is predominately for ‘local’ horses but does feature an international jockeys’ challenge which sees a team of seven female riders take on seven male jockeys. Frankie Dettori will captain the men’s team while the women’s team includes British rider Joanna Mason.