Al Riffa, the newest high-profile addition to the Australian Bloodstock roster, will look to strengthen his Melbourne Cup credentials when he contests the Group 1 Irish St Leger on Sunday.
Trained by Joseph O’Brien, Al Riffa heads into the St Leger sharing top billing in the market with the Aidan O’Brien-prepared Illinois. The pair are also equal favourites in early betting for the Melbourne Cup.
The Curragh Cup winner in July, Al Riffa was purchased soon after by syndicator Australian Bloodstock, who have developed a proven track record sourcing elite stayers for Australia’s greatest race.
The Irish St Leger has long served as an important Melbourne Cup form guide, beginning with Vintage Crop’s famous double in 1993. More recently, Twilight Payment used a third-place finish in the Irish feature as a springboard to Melbourne Cup glory for Joseph O’Brien in 2020.
For punters following Al Riffa’s journey from the Irish St Leger to the Melbourne Cup, the best betting markets and offers can be found at Australia’s leading betting sites.
