Clapton Headlines 'Super Saturday' Meeting At Meydan

by Alan Carasso, Heather Anderson & Adam Houghton

With G1 Al Maktoum Challenge winner Kabirkhan (California Chrome) missing from the entries and instead training up to the G1 Dubai World Cup in four weeks, the 'Super Saturday' meeting at Meydan is deprived of one of its star attractions. But a challenging nine-race program awaits, with no fewer than five of the contests offering free passes into the corresponding race on Mar. 30.

RRR Racing's Clapton (Brethren) should prove a handful in his second start since finishing down the field in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic in November. A two-time winner at the graded level in the US last season, the chestnut had the services of Antonio Fresu for the Jan. 26 Al Maktoum Challenge and sat a wide trip by design before staying on for third, beaten five lengths over course and distance. William Buick has the call from Chad Summers this time around.

“I'm very happy how the horse has acclimatised since he arrived,” said trainer Chad Summers, a dual winner of the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen with Mind Your Biscuits (Posse). “William [Buick] breezed him for us a few weeks ago and was very happy with him.”

Franz Strauss (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) has run well without winning in three starts this season, two of those over the Meydan 1900 metres, including a runner-up effort in the Al Maktoum Challenge. Richard Mullen rides for Bhupat Seemar from barrier nine.

The latter's stable companion Remorse (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) makes a belated return to the races in this spot. A listed winner and runner-up to Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 back in 2022, the Godolphin-bred 7-year-old was third in Round 2 of the Maktoum Challenge last year, was ninth in the G1 Saudi Cup and filled the same spot when beaten 20 lengths by Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in last year's World Cup. He runs first-up here. —Alan Carasso

Sheema Pointer High On Quality

A prep race for the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at the end of March, the G2 Dubai City of Gold over 2410 metres on grass attracted a quality field of nine runners.

Charlie Appleby saddles a trio of Godolphin entrants in this clash, anchored by Group 3 winner and G1 St Leger runner-up Castle Way (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}). He is the mount of William Buick and breaks from the widest gate in 11.

“Castle Way is probably the horse out of my three with the most scope to progress throughout the season,” said Appleby. “He ended his 3-year-old campaign with a couple of strong efforts and is ready to get going again.”

Both Warren Point (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Bold Act (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) are entering the fray coming off Pattern race victories–the former in the G3 Dubai Millennium S. earlier this month, and the latter in the GIII Sycamore S. at Keeneland in October.

“Warren Point has won over a mile and a half in the past, so stepping back up in trip won't be an issue–he should be bang there at the finish. Bold Act enjoyed travelling last year and put up a good performance to win at Keeneland in the autumn. He heads into this in good nick.”

G1 Deutsches Derby victor Sisfahan (Fr) (Isfahan {Ger}) is another runner of note, and he leaves from stall two.

—Heather Anderson

Swing Vote Looks To Sustain Run In Burj Nahaar

Swing Vote (GB) (Shamardal) has been on a serious roll in the Emirates this racing season and will look to take a step towards an appearance in the G2 Godolphin Mile as perhaps the one to beat in Saturday's G3 Burj Nahaar.

Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, who were represented by the tough World Cup runner-up Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) during last year's Carnival, the 4-year-old won two of four starts on the turf in France last season, but is perfect in three tries on the dirt. Victorious in the lower grades going a mile up the hill at Jebel Ali in December and January, he most recently stamped his authority on the Feb. 10 G3 Jebel Ali Mile, storming home by 3 3/4 lengths.

The veteran Hypothetical earned a ticket to the 2022 World Cup by winning Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge, but was well-beaten behind Country Grammer (Tonalist) in the big race and again in a single handicap test last February. The chestnut rebounded from a thrashing in a grass prep Jan. 11 to defeat Southern Artist (Munnings) by three-parts of a length in the G3 Firebreak S. over track and trip Jan. 26.

RRR Racing's Sound Money (Flatter) was fourth to Tuz (Oxbow) in Group 3 company on seasonal return and was forced to miss the Firebreak. Saturday's contest is his first try at a mile since finishing second to US champion Cody's Wish (Curlin) in the 2022 GIII Westchester S. at Belmont Park.

“He was a bit ring rusty [in the Dubawi S.],” said eight-time UAE champion trainer Doug Watson. “He had a bit of a foot issue four days before and pulled a shoe in the race, so I don't know how much that affected him. He trains like a proper horse and he's a beautiful animal. It was disappointing to miss the  Firebreak S., but we had to get him right.”

Adding depth to the field are the former American-based gallopers multiple graded stakes winner Laurel River (Into Mischief) for Juddmonte Farms and Three Chimneys Farm's stakes winner and multiple graded stakes-placed King Ottoman (Curlin). Laurel River was seventh in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint Jan. 26, but the latter makes his first local appearance. Both are trained by Bhupat Seemar. —Alan Carasso

Ras Al Khor Riches Up For Grabs

Staged as a Group 3 for the first time, the 1400-metre Ras Al Khor on grass sees a pair of runners owned by Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and trained by Michael Costa lock horns on Saturday.

   Marbaan (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) is the choice of rider Ben Coen, and will race with the addition of a tongue tie and shadow roll. The G2 Vintage S. hero ran 10th in the 1800-metre G2 Singspiel S. behind Naval Power (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) last week and will begin from gate 10 in the 16-horse field. Stablemate Yonafis (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}}) has already been in action twice in February, running second in the Listed Dubai Sprint on Feb. 2, and fifth in the Listed HH The President Cup at Abu Dhabi on Feb. 17.

“Marbaan will be better suited to this race with the gear change and application of tongue tie and shadow roll,” said Costa, this season's leading trainer in the UAE. “Yonafis could not look any better, so it was a flip of the coin who Ben wanted to ride.”

Godolphin's Noble Dynasty (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is looking for his third victory on the bounce after taking a Newmarket contest and a Lingfield all-weather race in the autumn of 2022. However, he lines up coming off an 15-month break.

“Noble Dynasty runs well fresh and looks in great shape,” said Appleby. “He has a nice draw in stall four and should be involved in the finish.” –Heather Anderson

Go Chrome Go Makes Local Bow In Mahab Al Shimaal

While Kabirkhan swerves Saturday's meeting, his sire is represented by Go Chrome Go (Arg) (California Chrome), who rates a live chance in the 1200-metre G3 Mahab al Shimaal, the final lead-up into the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.

The Southern Hemisphere 5-year-old, now under the care of Julio Olascoaga, is a winner of nine from 15 in Argentina, and rides a five-race winning skein which includes a one-length success in Group 3 company over a mile at La Plata back in July.

“He makes his first start a little late in the season, as he had some health issues related to travel that made him lose some time,” said Olascoaga. “He will catch the eye on Saturday as he is a very nice-looking horse by California Chrome.”

Freedom Fighter (Violence) is one of three in the race for the Seemar yard, having improved from a first-up sixth in listed company to finish second–albeit a distant one–to the impressive Moubeeb (Flatter) in the Al Shindagha Sprint.

The Friday scratchings of the undefeated 3-year-old Ma Yetal (Flameaway) and 110-rated Mubakker (Speightstown) leaves a field of eight Saturday. —Alan Carasso

Star Of Mystery Bids To Continue Winning Sequence

Improving 3-year-old filly Star Of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) puts her unbeaten record at Meydan on the line when she features in a 15-strong field for Saturday's AED1.2-million G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint sponsored by Emirates Skywards.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, Star Of Mystery is seeking her third straight victory at the track and her second over the 1000-metre distance having run out a decisive winner of the G2 Blue Point Sprint when meeting older horses for the first time on last month's Fashion Friday card.

Appleby said, “Star Of Mystery has enjoyed a little break since the Blue Point Sprint and a repeat performance of that will make her very competitive again. It's a good field but we are very happy with her.”

Czech raider Ponntos (Ire) (Power {GB}) is 1.5kg better off at the weights with Star Of Mystery on Saturday having been beaten 1 3/4 lengths by that rival when runner-up in the Blue Point Sprint, while William Knight's Frost At Dawn (Frosted), the other 3-year-old filly in the line-up, will be bidding for a deserved win after finishing in the money in three of her four starts at Meydan to date, albeit in lesser company.

“She's thriving in Dubai and Abbie, who looks after her, is delighted with her,” Knight said of Frost At Dawn. “To be honest, I wish this race was over six furlongs [1200m], but she's shown she's got plenty of toe. It is hard for these 3-year-olds up against the seasoned sprinters, but I'd like to think she has a chance of running in the top three.” –Adam Houghton

Does The Shoe Fit?

The discussion on who will be the next winner of the Listed Jumeirah 1000 Guineas Sponsored by Emirates SkyCargo begins with the three-for-three Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal). Just like subsequent G1 1000 Guineas heroine Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), the Charlie Appleby-trained filly won the Jumeirah Fillies' Classic at the beginning of the month, and Mawj was an 8 1/2-length winner of the 2022 edition of this race, also in the royal blue of Godolphin.

“Cinderella's Dream is in great order and stepping back up to a mile is going to suit,” said Appleby. “The form of her latest win has been franked by Beautiful Love and she looks the one to beat.”

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners has been involved in some noteworthy wins on an international scale far from their California base–G1 VRC Oaks heroine Pinot (Aus) (Pierro {Aus}) to name one–and their Geologist (GB) (Territories {Ire}) looms the main danger in the 1600-metre turf affair. Well-seasoned with nine starts, especially compared to some of her rivals, the listed winner and Group 3 -placed filly was most recently fourth to Cinderella's Dream in the Jumeirah Fillies' Classic after taking the overland route the whole way around. –Heather Anderson

Legend Of Time Has The Hat-Trick In His Sights

Appleby is also responsible for the standout contender in the AED800,000 Listed Jumeirah Classic sponsored by Arabian Adventures which concludes the card, namely Legend Of Time (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who has emulated Star Of Mystery by winning his two previous races at Meydan in 2024, including a two-length victory in last month's Jumeirah Guineas.

Legend Of Time, who will be suited by stepping up to 1800 metres, is joined in the line-up by stablemate Musical Act (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) to give Appleby another very strong hand in the Jumeirah Classic, a contest in which he saddled the first three home when Naval Power (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) beat One Nation (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Highbank (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) in 2023.

“Legend Of Time has done well since the Jumeirah Guineas and this was always the target,” said Appleby. “Musical Act was a bit unfortunate in the Jumeirah Guineas, when he got caught up in an early speed duel and didn't finish his race. I'm hoping he can do everything the right way round this time and will be disappointed if he doesn't make the places.”

Runner-up to Legend Of Time in the Jumeirah Guineas, Athan (Arg) (Orpen) should keep the Godolphin duo honest once again after chasing home Appleby's Beautiful Love (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) over the same course and distance last time, while Uruguayan raider Quartier (Uru) (Matterhorn) finished a good third in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas back in January and is another with place claims if proving as effective now tried on turf for the first time in his career. –Adam Houghton