Dubai World Cup places are up for grabs as the stars converge on a superb Emirates Super Saturday at Meydan Racecourse on 1 March.
Six of the day’s nine races offer automatic entry to corresponding races on the big day on 5 April, including the featured G2 Al Maktoum Classic (sponsored by Emirates Airline), over the Dubai World Cup course of 2000metres on dirt.
A full field of 16 line up, including G1 winner Kabirkhan (pictured), 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.”
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.
“He is being thrown a bit in the deep end here having broken the track record last time out,” said Alex Cole, Racing Manager to the Hay family. “I feel he’s earned a shot at this level and on Saturday night we’ll find out if he’s good enough or not.”
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.
“The Pegasus World Cup Turf proved a bit of a non-event for him, although he came out of the race well. He is a multiple G1 winner and looks a leading contender if he runs to his best.”
Appleby also runs First Conquest, two from two at Meydan, the mount of Mickael Barzalona.
