Less than a week after the announcement that winners of four Group 1 races from Dubai Racing Club will earn automatic berths at the Breeders’ Cup, the international spotlight will once again be on Meydan Racecourse as it stages Emirates Super Saturday on March 1 — a pivotal meeting where places on Dubai World Cup night are up for grabs. The nine-race card promises high-class action, with six races offering automatic entry to corresponding races on the grand stage of April 5, setting the tone for what lies ahead at the world’s richest race day.
The feature race, the Group 2 Al Maktoum Classic (sponsored by Emirates Airline) over 2000 metres on dirt, sees a full field of 16 contenders vying for a spot in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup. Among them is KABIRKHAN, who returns to the scene after a seventh-place finish in the Al Maktoum Challenge earlier this month. The Group 1 winner, trained by Doug Watson, will be hoping to leave that run behind him. His trainer believes the wide draw in stall nine could prove beneficial, helping the horse avoid the kickback that troubled him last time.
Bhupat Seemar saddles three runners, including IMPERIAL EMPEROR, who finished runner-up in the Al Maktoum Challenge behind WALK OF STARS. The four-year-old son of Dubawi has done little wrong in his short career, and with the absence of his last conqueror, he looks poised to make his mark. ARTORIUS, another from the Seemar stable, will be stepping up in trip and dons blinkers for the first time, while GUNS AND GLORY takes a leap in class after breaking the track record at Meydan last time out. His connections believe the three-year-old colt has earned his shot at this level.
The Group 2 Singspiel Stakes (sponsored by Emirates Airline) holds the key to a berth in the Group 1 Dubai Turf, and leading the charge is Godolphin’s four-time Group 1 winner NATIONS PRIDE. Trained by Charlie Appleby, the five-year-old returns to Meydan after a successful campaign in the United States. Though he could only finish ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park last month, Appleby remains confident that he will show his true colours back on familiar ground. Stablemate FIRST CONQUEST is unbeaten in two starts at Meydan this season and takes another step up the ladder, while CAIRO, trained by Alice Haynes, has been a consistent presence throughout the Dubai Carnival and could be a lively contender dropping back in distance.
One of the most intriguing storylines of the day surrounds TUZ, who bids to make UAE racing history in the Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal (sponsored by Emirates.com). The Bhupat Seemar-trained sprinter has swept all three Group dirt sprints this season and will become the first horse to complete the quartet if he wins again. His flawless run of form makes him the one to beat, though American raider DREW’S GOLD and Japan’s AMERICAN STAGE add further international intrigue.
The Japanese challenge extends to the Group 3 Burj Nahar (sponsored by Emirates Airline), where T O SAINT DENIS lines up for trainer Daisuke Takayanagi. The six-year-old has travelled extensively, including a ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, and his connections are hopeful that he can book his ticket to Dubai World Cup night. He faces opposition from ANCIENT ROME, who brings top-level turf form into his dirt debut for trainer Charlie Hills.
Over longer distances, the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold (sponsored by Emirates Airline) offers a route into the Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, with Godolphin’s trio of runners spearheaded by SILVER KNOTT. The multiple Group race winner was a model of consistency in the United States last year and returns to what is now considered his optimum trip of 2400 metres. Stablemate ARABIAN CROWN, a winner of the Group 3 Sandown Classic Trial, makes his first start since April but carries high expectations.
The shortest race of the day, the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (sponsored by Emirates SkyCargo), sees defending champion FROST AT DAWN attempt to retain her crown. WEST ACRE, who blitzed his rivals in the Blue Point Sprint last month, is the standout challenger for British trainer George Scott, while KYLIAN and JAKAJARO add further strength to the visiting contingent.
Three-year-olds take centre stage in the two Listed events, the Jumeirah 1000 Guineas (sponsored by Emirates Skywards) and the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas (sponsored by Emirates Holidays). Godolphin’s MOUNTAIN BREEZE heads the fillies’ division after an impressive win in the Mawj Stakes, while RULING COURT and HALLASAN represent the royal blue silks in the colts’ contest. Spain is not without hope, with OCTANS seeking revenge on MOUNTAIN BREEZE after finishing second to her last time out.
With a diverse array of international challengers converging on Meydan, Emirates Super Saturday promises a feast of top-class racing as connections chase their dreams of securing a place on one of the sport’s most prestigious stages.
