Dubai: The time for talk is over. The moment of truth has finally arrived for trainers and jockeys hoping to lay down a marker for the Dubai World Cup meeting in three weeks time.
Today is the final day of preparation when Meydan Racecourse hosts Super Saturday, a high-quality eight-race programme that acts as the ultimate dress rehearsal of the world’s richest race day, worth a staggering $27.5 million in prize money.
This is when the equine stars will seek to advertise their claims for a shot at the rich purses on offer on March 29, as they compete in races which act as stepping stones to the showpiece events on Dubai World Cup day.
The highlight of Saturday’s $1.8 million card is the third and final round of the Group 1 2,000m Al Maktoum Challenge, a race which is run over the same all-weather course and distance of the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1).
A strong field of 14 runners will face the starter including the Saeed Bin Surour-trained duo of Prince Bishop and African Story, who were first and second respectively in round two of the Al Maktoum Challenge just four weeks ago.
The race is recognised as a leading trial for the World Cup with Bin Surour’s Dubai Millennium (2000), Street Cry (2002) and Electrocutionist (2006) having progressed to win the $10 million contest.
Gloria De Campeao was second in the Al Maktoum Challenge before going one better in the World Cup, while 2012 winner Monterosso, had finished fourth in the Al Maktoum Challenge.
Kieren Fallon continues his association with Prince Bishop while William Buick replacing Godolphin’s suspended stable jockey Silvestre De Sousa, on African Story.
Bin Surour was hoping to add to his nine wins in the race and said of his pair: Both are in good form and have come out of that race. Prince Bishop looked better than ever winning that and I was really pleased with him. He has been working well since and Kieren Fallon gets on really well with him.
“African Story needed that run a month ago and has improved a lot fitness-wise since. We think 2000m is his trip now and he loves the all-weather surface.
“Hopefully both will run well but it is a good race.”
Fellow Godolphin handler Charlie Appleby saddles Cat O’Mountain who will be looking to make amends for his disappointing effort on his last start where he finished at the tail of the field.
“He was a disappointment last time but nothing really went right for him in the race so we will put a line through it and give him a chance to prove himself,” said Appleby.
“Obviously it is a big step up in class but hopefully he merits it.”
South African maestro Mike De Kock, seeking a third victory in the race after Victory Moon (2004) and Asiatic Boy (2009) sends out Alexandra Palace and Sanshaawes, a two-race winner on the all-weather at Meydan this season.
De Kock said: “They are both in good form but taking a big step up in grade. Hopefully they can at least be competitive in what is obviously a good race.”
Former UAE based handler David Marnane has saddled three winners at the Carnival and relies on Elleval, runner-up in last year’s UAE Derby who was an exciting winner on his most recent start at Meydan.
Marnane was relishing the prospect of competing for the prestigious Al Maktoum Challenge and said: “It is very exciting to have runners at this meeting, especially Elleval in the big race of the night. He loves this all-weather surface and we were delighted with his win last time.
“To have a runner in the Dubai World Cup would be amazing and this is his chance to prove he merits a place in three weeks. We are really looking forward to it.”
looking forward to it.”
Today’s card also feature the Purebred Arabian version of the Al Maktoum Challenge, which is a prep for the Kahayla Classic (G1) on World Cup day.
Additionally, six other leadup races will be run including the Listed Al Bastakiya (prep for $5m Sheema Classic), Group 3
Meydan Sprint ($1m Al Quoz Sprint), Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal (Golden Shaheen), Group 3 Burj Nahaar ($1m Godolphin Mile) and Group 1 Jebel Hatta ($5m Dubai Duty Free.
Racing starts at 4.30pm and entrance to Meydan is free.
