Dark Power in Top Shape for
stc 1351 Turf Sprint Repeat
Bahrain ace seeking to double up with Dettori booked to ride

Frankie Dettori jumping for joy after winning last year’s stc 1351 Turf Sprint on Allan Smith’s Dark Power - Credit: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia / Neville Hopwood

Trainer Allan Smith believes Dark Power is peaking at the right time as he prepares his stable star to defend his stc 1351 Turf Sprint title at the glittering Saudi Cup meeting.

The striking grey came with a strong, late run under Frankie Dettori to collar front-running Mubtasim and cause a massive shock in the $1 million contest – run over 1351m – last year.

Bahrain-based Smith has been plotting a return to the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh on February 20 – the same day as the $20 million Saudi Cup – with Dark Power.

He said: “We’ve only managed to get two runs into him this season, as there wasn’t too great a programme for him with the rating he’s got.

“The first run he definitely needed and in his last run he finished third, when he ran into a terrible head wind. His jockey, Gérald Mossé, had a bit of a problem holding him up so he just ran a bit free but he ran a nice race.

“He came out of that well and he’s now on the same racing weight that he went into The Saudi Cup meeting last year, so we’re very pleased with him.

“We’ve got the services of Frankie again this year. He was down here at the Royal Stables last week. He gave Dark Power a good examination and he was really pleased with him.”

Smith has had spells training in Belgium and Dubai, as well as a stint as a professional musician, before being tempted out of retirement to take charge of horses owned by members of Bahrain’s ruling family.

He described last year’s inaugural Saudi Cup meeting, which features the world’s most valuable race, as a “fantastic” experience and he is looking forward to returning to the course that impressed him so much 12 months ago.

Smith said: “The turf track is of a very high quality. From what I hear, it’s better now than it was last year. It’s very well-manicured, it was a nice track and surface. The ground was good/good to firm, and Dark Power came out of the race better than he went in.

“The organisation of The Saudi Cup meeting last year felt so professional. They looked after the horse, the groom and the rider so well for the duration of their stay. There was nothing we wanted for. When I travelled over to Riyadh, the whole experience, including the hotel and Saudi Cup day was just fantastic. Everyone was just so kind and thoroughly professional.”