Super Saturday was created to be a “Dubai World Cup Trial” night. The race card is composed of a set of races with the exact same conditions as that of World Cup night. It’s the perfect stepping stone to Dubai World Cup night, and for many, the last throw of the dice to be earn a Dubai World Cup invitation. Though set up as only the proverbial curtain-raiser to the big event, it has in time attracted progressively stronger and stronger competition, and grown today into an impressive festival of racing its own right.
With two Group 1’s, a Group 2, and three other feature races, it is a major day of racing – and with a pocketful of aces it could be a big night for South Africa, reports JAMES TROTTER.
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Al Maktoum Challenge R3 (G1)
– 2000m All -Weather
Previous South African Winners: Victory Moon, Asiatic Boy
Bold Silvano, his final preparation for the Dubai World Cup
This is the precursor to the $10,000,000 Dubai World Cup and as such is the main event on the card. All South African eyes will be on Bold Silvano (Silvano), who Mike de Kock sends out for his second run this season and his final preparation for the Dubai World Cup at the end of the month. His first run back from injury wasn’t as flamboyant as we may have wished it to be, but being his first race in a year and over a distance short of his best, there was also nothing wrong with it. Look for a big run, or at least improvement, to show he is heading the right way towards his main goal.
Bold Silvano’s old rival and stable companion Irish Flame (Dynasty) lines up in the same race. Bred by Millennium Stud and ridden by Kevin Shea he is the only South African bred, trained, owned and jockeyed horse on the night and so deserves notable mention. The 2010 Horse of the Year hasn’t been the same horse as yet in Dubai. It is difficult to know whether it’s the different conditions or the left-handed turn that he doesn’t enjoy. But he still looks fantastic, and his talent is still there (his only race around a right-handed turn since leaving South Africa he broke a course record while carrying 60kg!) This will be his first race on the Meydan All-Weather, and he’ll need to show some old form to be a factor here, and to be granted a shot on World Cup night.
Herman Brown sends out the highly rated Green Destiny (Marju) in the same race. This horse was purchased to be the stable’s ‘World Cup horse’ and makes his first run for Brown. He brings with him top class form from Europe and is a horse with a reputation. It will be interesting to see how he fares.
Dangers: Godolphin’s Prince Bishop (Dubawi) was impressive when winning over this course and distance by 5 lengths in January, while his stable mate Monterosso (Dubawi) is the highest rated horse in the race as a result of his 3rd place finish in last year’s Dubai World Cup. The winner of the Al Maktoum Challenge II, Mendip (Harlan’s Holiday), is a talented horse with a dangerous turn of foot.
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Jebel Hatta (G1)
– 1800m Turf
Previous South African Winners: Ipi Tombe, Surveyor
Mutahadee, one of the World Cup hopes for the De Kock yard (Photographer: Andrew Watkins)
Pocket Power’s internationally flag-bearing sister River Jetez (Jet Master) returns on Saturday. At her brave and tenacious best she undoubtedly would be involved in the finish. However, she is getting on a bit, and this is her first run of the season, so she may be in need of the run. If that old spark is still there she can then take aim at going one better this year on World Cup night.
Perhaps the revelation of the carnival so far has been Mutahadee. This Irish bred son of Encosta de Lago started the season a handicapper and is now one of the top World Cup night hopes for the De Kock yard. Both his races at Meydan have resulted in victories of contemptuous ease. In particular his last where he accelerated passed the opposition so quickly at the top of the straight that Christophe Soumillon started easing him down with almost a furlong still to go. Its Grade 1 time for him now, but he should be a big runner.
Master of Hounds (Kingmambo) is the third arrow in the De Kock quiver. This Kentucky Derby contender of last year is another World Cup hope for the stable. His first run of the season was eye-catching when a fast finishing second behind Musir and his most recent in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort he probably would have won with a clearer trip. Kevin Shea gets back aboard him tonight and he could very foreseeably be in the firing line.
Dangers: It’s a tough race to pick if you look passed Mutahadee. Presvis (Sakhee) is the highest rated horse in race, but his come from behind running style doesn’t always work out for him. Last year’s winner, Wigmore Hall (High Chaparral), makes a return. Multiple G1 winner Rio de la Plata (Rahy) heads up Godolphin’s charge, Dubawi Gold (Dubawi) who has been running against Frankel, while Albaasil (Dansili) and City Style (City Zip) are two other serious improvers this carnival which we haven’t seen the bottom of yet.
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Dubai City of Gold (G2)
– 2410m Turf
Previous South African Winners: Grey’s Inn, Oracle West, Front House
Zanzamar won the UAE Guineas Trial last year but this is a big step up
Zanzamar (Fort Wood) found the winner’s box last time around when switched to the turf and put up in distance. Bred by Danika stud, he won the UAE Guineas Trial last year and followed that up with a solid 4th in the UAE Derby (G2) on World Cup night. This is both a step up in class and distance for him, and will be a decider for potential World Cup night plans. He is bred for this sort of trip, and so we should see further improvement from him.
De Kock also sends out the superlatively bred Viscount Nelson (Giant’s Causeway) who won the Al Fahidi Fort (G2) over 1600m on his penultimate start. Leased from Coolmore, his last start wasn’t as impressive, but it was a strange race where nothing was really able to make up ground from the back. He too is being tested over this distance for the first time and so his World Cup plans will also hinge on his run here.
Herman is also represented strongly in this race with two international gallopers. The first of those, Mikhail Glinka (Galileo), beat all but won home in the main event at Meydan last week, while Bronze Cannon (Lemon Drop Kid) got himself off the mark for the Dubai Carnival impressively last time out. Neither will be a surprise to finish in the winner’s box, however stable jockey Ryan Moore has elected Bronze Cannon and this is probably the right choice. He is already a multiple Grade 2 winner over this distance and his last win was inspiring.
Dangers: Godolphin has a strong hand in this race headed by the highest rated horse in the race, Shimraan (Rainbow Quest) and the unbeaten and up and coming Songcraft (Singspiel). Other threats include globetrotting Grade 1 Performer Unusual Suspect (Unusual Heat), four time G1 winner Campanologist (Kingmambo) and Joshua Tree (Montjeu).
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Burj Nahaar (G3)
– 1600m All-Weather
Musir should start the heavy favourite again (Photo: Andrew Watkins)
Musir (Redoute’s Choice) has been out to dominate all this year at the Carnival and this weekend shouldn’t be any different. De Kock’s charge should start the heavy favourite again and we hope for another powerful performance.
His grey stable mate, the Brazilian Jardim (Ski Champ), has been consistent in handicaps at the carnival but will need to improve to factor in this company.
This race also sees the much awaited return of Brown’s Singapore Cup (G1) victor of last year, Gitano Hernando (Hernando). This is his first run since he beat River Jetez in that race in May last year and so one would think he’ll be at least partly in need of the run.
Herman’s other charge, however, is looking in fine form and could very well be Musir’s main opposition. Dux Scholar (Oasis Dream) is a new addition to the stable this year and both his runs in Dubai have been impressive. Last time out, in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile, he was finishing best of all when placing third. This is his first try on the All-Weather however.
Dangers: South Africa has strong hand in this race. Godolphin’s African Story (Pivotal) and highly rated Rajsaman (Linamix) are the most likely dangers.
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Mahab Al Shimaal (G3)
– 1200m All-Weather
Previous South African Winners: Bankable
August Rush - Gr1 Mercury Sprint winner, makes his first appearance in Dubai
A bunch of South African owners will be watching with anticipation when Herman sounds out locally bred August Rush (Var) for his first racetrack appearance in Dubai. The Northfields Stud bred gelding was last seen winning the Mercury Sprint (G1) last year and so with all the quarantine issues he represents South Africa in being the best horse to have made it out to Dubai that raced at home last season. The conditions will take some adjusting for him, as it will be his first time on the All-Weather and the sprint is around the turn, but a good effort will earn him a chance to take on Rocket Man (Viscount) in the $2million Golden Shaheen on World Cup night.
Herman also sends out Ergiyas (War Chant) who also makes his first start in Dubai. His form in Russia is strong, however we will have to wait and see how that translates when he faces this sort of opposition.
Dangers: Hitchens (Acclamation), Krypton Factor (Kyllachy) and Addictive Dream (Kheleyf) have been dominating the sprints at the Carnival and represent the ones to beat.
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Al Bastakiya (Listed)
– 1900m All-Weather
Previous South African Winners: Asiatic Boy, Royal Vintage, Reem
Mickdaam, looks to be improving
The Al Bastakiya is in theory the second leg of the UAE Triple Crown, falling between the UAE Guineas and the UAE Derby. However in recent years many of the better three year olds have bypassed this race and so it remains only a Listed event.
The field this year however appears stronger than the one that Reem (Galileo) disposed of wit ease last year. De Kock looks in a good position to follow that win up with Irish bred Mickdaam (Dubawi) who has been close, and a little unlucky, in both of his starts so far, and looks to be improving.
Dangers: The three year old races so far have been tightly fought affairs. Godolphin’s UAE Guineas winner Kinglet (Kingmambo) is the obvious horse to oppose. Others with form include Singapore’s Cash Luck (Bradbury’s Luck), Spain’s Matusalen (Caradak), Burano (Dalakhani) and Surfer (Distorted Humour). Prepared (More Than Ready) and Frankie Dettori’s mount Counterglow (Echo of Light) are low in the ratings but will likely savour the extra distance.
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Meydan Sprint
– 1000m Turf (Straight)
This is a new race so not yet graded, but don’t let it fool you: with five Grade 1 winners in the field including a Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner (Regally Ready), a King’s Stand winner (Prohibit) and two Nunthorpe winners (Sole Power and Margot Did) – this is not your average Conditions race.
The fifth of the Group 1 winners making up the field is War Artist (Orpen) who many years ago now defeated Rebel King (National Emblem) and speed machine Mythical Flight (Jet Master) to win the Mercury Sprint (G1). He has since been competing regularly in the top sprint events of Britain, France, Germany, Hong Kong and UAE. This is his first start back this year and if at his best this old-timer could give the younger guys a run for their money.
South African interests will also be represented in this race by Nocturnal Affair. The five year old gelding is a son of the ill-fated Victory Moon. A strong showing here will earn him a place to compete on World Cup night on the 10th anniversary of his father winning the UAE Derby (G2) and starting the run of South African success in Dubai. He is an in form horse winning over this course and distance two weeks ago beating much of the field he faces today. However, that was a handicap, and so a few of the big guns receive a favourable weight swing with him today. If he passes Saturday’s test he’ll then attempt to follow in JJ’s footsteps and give the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) to South African breds two years in a row!
Dangers: Many. The four other Group 1 winners: Prohibit (Oasis Dream), Margot Did (Exceed and Excel), Regally Ready (More Than Ready) and Sole Power (Kyllachy). Inxile (Fayruz) has run strongly this Carnival and Monsieur Joe (Choisir), Al Sharood (Shamardal) and Mar Adentro (Marju) could also find themselves in the mix.
It’s going to be an exciting nights racing. Good luck to all the South African connections competing. To everyone else, enjoy!
(For full race fields information go to: http://www.emiratesracing.com/node/3?id=2497)
