Dubai World Cup places up for grabs in Super Saturday meeting

Dubai: Dubai World Cup places are up for grabs as the stars converge on a superb Emirates Super Saturday at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday.

Six of the day’s nine races offer automatic entry to corresponding races in April 5 showpiece, including the featured G2 Al Maktoum Classic (sponsored by Emirates Airline), over the Dubai World Cup course of 2000 metres on dirt.

Nice draw, feels trainer Watson

A full field of 16 line up, including G1 winner Kabirkhan, who aims to bounce back from seventh in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge last time out.

“We thought we had him in good shape for his last race, off a ten-month layoff,” said trainer Doug Watson. “I think that he just got in the kickback and then he lost his action. I like the draw [9], a little wide, to keep out of the kickback. I think he will run a nice race.”

Bhupat Seemar runs Imperial Emperor, who finished in front of Kabirkhan when second to Walk Of Stars in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge.

“He’s done nothing wrong,” said the Champion Trainer. “He’s won two races and he was second in the Group 1. There’s no Walk Of Stars this time, but Kabirkhan is a good horse.”

Extra distance should suit Artorius

Seemar also runs Artorius, fourth in the G3 Firebreak Stakes last time, the mount of Pat Cosgrave.

“He’s doing great and he ran a very good race last time,” he said. “He looks like he’s crying out for more distance, so a mile and a quarter should suit him well. He gets blinkers for the first time and if they go hard and fast he could be the one closing.”

The third Seemar runner is recent course winner Guns And Glory, who will be ridden by Richie Mullen for owner Fitri Hay.

Nations to Uphold Godolphin Pride

The G2 Singspiel Stakes (sponsored by Emirates Airline) offers guaranteed entry to the G1 Dubai Turf for the winner and nine take their chance.

The favourite is likely to be four-time Group 1 winner Nations Pride, who arrives here off a ninth place in the G1 Pegasus Turf in Florida in January.

“Nations Pride put up a strong performance over this course and trip in the Dubai Turf two years ago and enjoyed a productive campaign in the United States last season,” said trainer Charlie Appleby, who has won this race twice.

Appleby also runs First Conquest, two from two at Meydan, the mount of Mickael Barzalona.

“First Conquest has done nothing wrong so far this winter and came out of the Dubai Millennium Stakes in good order,” he added. “He deserves to take another step up the ladder and will have no problem with the return to nine furlongs.”

History beckons for Tuz

Tuz will make UAE racing history if adding the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal to his haul on Saturday — becoming the first horse to sweep the UAE’s Group dirt sprints in one season.

Seemar’s charge, who will break from stall five in the field of 12, has been flawless in his last four starts including the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen last March — his target once again.

“He’s full of himself so he might as well come out and get rid of that energy,” said Seemar, remarking on the gelding’s busy campaign. “I don’t think anyone has won the Garhoud Sprint, Dubawi Stakes, Al Shindagha Sprint and the Mahab Al Shimaal in one season before.”

Emirates Super Saturday gets underway at 5:30pm UAE with the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (sponsored by Arabian Adventures) for Purebred Arabians. Unleashed, winner of Round 2 last time out, will be hard to catch in a field of 11.