3 minute read
The Super Saturday card is the most significant day of the Meydan Carnival so far and the eight-race simulcast programme - including two Group 1s - features exceptionally competitive racing along with an international flavour.
And the 15-runner G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) on turf also highlights the competition between Godolphin trainers Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor.
Both have won this Group 1 three times in the past ten years and each have serious possibilities of a 2023 triumph - Appleby with Master Of The Seas (William Buick) and Valiant Prince (James Doyle) and Bin Suroor with Real World (Daniel Tudhope) and Land Of Legends (Pat Cosgrave).
This quartet probably supplies the chief hazard to the Douglas Whyte-trained, Alberto Sanna-ridden Russian Emperor's exciting attempt to supplement his rousing and historic victory in the QAT G1 H.H. The Amir Trophy (2400m) in Qatar on 18 February.
Unbeaten in two starts since being gelded, and returning to Meydan 283 days after landing Newmarket's G3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes (1800m), Master Of The Seas was booted to a narrow though comfortable winner in January's G2 Zabeel Mile (1600m).
Appleby reflects on the challenges and rewards of this five-year-old son of Dubawi: "He had a setback after Newmarket and there's been a lot of patience required to get him back to where he is now. He does make life hard for himself sometimes but he's got a huge engine."
Valiant Prince has also won his last two starts, and both over this course and distance, latterly in last month's G2 Singspiel Stakes (1800m). Doyle is particularly enthusiastic about the feel the five-year-old gelding gave him then: "He is growing up all the time and his racing manners in the Singspiel were perfect. He showed all the attributes of a horse going in the right direction."
Doyle will need all his skills with Valiant Prince drawn out in 14, whilst Real World - who may well start favourite - also faces a test from gate ten. A former handicapper he is a six-time winner - including in the 2022 Zabeel Mile here - but it is perhaps his achievements in defeat that will make him most popular on Saturday.
On his last two starts, he finished second to Baaeed - latterly only beaten one and three quarter lengths by a colt who was the highest-rated racehorse in the world at the time - in June's G1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot. Gelded since last seen 263 days ago, Real World has a compelling history of returning in top shape after an absence.
The other G1 at Meydan on Saturday is the Al Maktoum Challenge R3 (2000m, dirt). This 14-runner 2000m dirt encounter has mostly been dominated by the highest-rated contenders in recent years, with Salute The Soldier (Adrie de Vries), who won this in front-running style in 2021, and Bendoog (James Doyle) - a physically impressive colt with upwardly mobile form - both fit into that category.
The opening G2 Dubai City Of Gold (2410m) is the target of the Caspar Fownes-trained Senor Toba (Alberto Sanna). The absence of certain favourite Rebel's Romance - a multiple G1 winner - has given this confrontation around the 2410m of Meydan's turf track a conspicuously competitive look.
What are you really gambling with? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
