Dubai: Veteran Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour is plotting to win his first St. Leger Italiano (G3) when he saddles the German-bred Rumh in the Milan showpiece on Saturday.
Bin Surour has enjoyed a fair share of success in Italy over the years but is yet to win the 2,800m contest, which is Italy’s equivalent of the English St. Leger run at Doncaster.
Last year’s Italian Classic was won by the Anders Wohler-trained Altano.
Rumh contested the 2011 English St. Leger but finished last of seven behind John Gosden’s Masket Marvel. Since then, he has had six starts, where he has won two and finished third in another.
Rumh arrives at Italy with impressive form, having won a competitive handicap over 3,200m at Goodwood early September.
The last English-trained horse to win Italy’s Leger was the John Dunlop-trained Spanish Hidalgo who won under Mirco Demuro in 2007.
Bin Surour is also likely to saddle Sajjhaa and Khawlah in the Group One Premio Lydia Tesio over 10 furlongs at Rome on Sunday.
The Godolphin handler was successful in the race in 2005 with Dubai Surprise.
Gran Premio del Jockey Club E Coppa D’Oro runner-up Retrieve is among four Godolphin horses short-listed for the Group One Premio Roma at Rome on November 4.
It is currently Europe’s last top-level open-age flat race of the year.
Bin Surour has won the race twice in the past with Rio de la Plata in 2010 and Cherry Mix in 2006.
