City of Gold | Horse Racing Free Tips

Glitters To Shine On Super Saturday

Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) may be a former G1 Queen Anne S. winner, but at age nine he has revamped himself as a Middle Eastern star, and he lines up as one of the highlight horses of Super Saturday in the G1 Jebel Hatta S. It has been almost three years since the grey visited a winner's enclosure in Europe, but in the meantime Lord Glitters has won four black-type races in the Gulf region, including last year's edition of this race, the G3 Bahrain International Trophy in November and the G2 Singspiel S. on Feb. 11.

The horse who finished second to Lord Glitters in the Bahrain International Trophy was another Royal Ascot Group 1 veteran, Charlie Appleby's 8-year-old Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}). Gelded and sent to Charlie Appleby after proving infertile, Barney Roy won this race two years ago before adding a pair of German Group 1s in the summer of 2020. He has something to prove, however, having run just twice at the back end of last season, and it could be meaningful that William Buick instead rides the same stable's Zakouski (GB) (Shamardal), who won the Listed Marshall S. at Newmarket at the end of October and was third behind Lord Glitters in the Singspiel. Zakouski also won the G2 Al Rashidiya S. over this course and distance last carnival.

Different O'Neill, Same Result in Round 3?

The $450,000 G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 is missing Grade I winner and G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow), who is bound directly for the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup on Mar. 26, but 15 horses still line up in this traditional pointer to that 2000-metre main-track affair. In the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2, the Doug O'Neill-trained 4-year-old blitzed the field by 5 1/4 lengths, and the third- and fourth-place finishers that day, Everfast (Take Charge Indy) and For The Top (Arg) (Equal Stripes {Arg}), return over an additional 100 metres.

O'Neill does send his 'B Team' in on Saturday, as the 6-year-old gelding Appreciated (Acclamation), a veteran of the American circuit, hopes to build off of his narrow track-and-trip win in the Listed Curlin S. on Feb. 11.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) will aim to go one better after finishing 1 3/4 lengths behind Salute The Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}) in the 2021 edition, while last year's third-place finisher Roman Rosso (Arg) (Roman Ruler) breaks from gate 11. Fourth in the Dubai World Cup last year, Hypothetical was unplaced in the Jan. 14 G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1. In charge from the front when wheeled back in the one-mile G3 Firebreak S. on Feb. 4, the result was much different, with the 5-year-old entire delivering a 3 1/4-length win.

Dubai City of Gold Hukum's El Dorado?

The 2410-metre G2 Dubai City Of Gold features a field of 14 led by the Owen Burrows-trained Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Prior to 2021, the Shadwell homebred was a Group 3 winner, however the full-brother to undefeated Group 1-winning miler Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) enjoyed his best season last year with a trio of Group 3 wins at 2400 metres or longer, and he was last seen in action with a 6 1/2-length victory in the Oct. 2 G3 Cumberland Lodge S. at Ascot. Saturday marks his first start outside the UK, and the bay breaks widest of all in gate 14 with Shadwell's retained jockey Jim Crowley in the irons.

It is not purely a one-horse show in the City of Gold, and Niels Petersen saddles Square De Luynes (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}), a seven-for-nine multiple Group 3 winner based in Sweden. He is aiming for his fourth-straight score after taking the Sept. 19 G3 Stockholm Cup International. Ex-Aidan O'Brien trainee Amhran Na Bhfiann (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is also making his first foray in the desert, and the G2 Curragh Cup winner will carry the colours of Mariano Commercial Ltd. and Partners after being knocked down for 78,000gns during the Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale.

Simon and Ed Crisford's Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who races for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, enters on the back of a Newmarket listed victory, and the top Godolphin chance, Feb. 11 course-and-distance winner Global Storm (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), is signed on as well.

Group 1 Winners Face Off In Turf Sprint

The most intriguing race on the card is probably the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, where last-season Group 1 winners Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal) and A Case Of You (Ire) (Hot Streak {Ire}) face off against Meydan specialist Acklam Express (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) and last-out course and distance listed winner Man Of Promise (Into Mischief).

Kevin Ryan's Emaraaty Ana and Ado McGuinnesses A Case Of You ran in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively, behind Golden Pal (Uncle Mo). Emaraaty Ana, who won last year's G1 Sprint Cup S. over this six furlong trip, makes his first start since Del Mar, while A Case Of You returned a 3 1/2-length winner going six furlongs at Dundalk on Feb. 11. He won last year's G1 Prix de l'Abbaye going five furlongs.

Though he has never won at Meydan, Nigel Tinkler's Acklam Express has displayed a definite liking for the course; he finished second in last year's G2 Meydan Sprint and third in this race as well as the G1 Al Quoz Sprint. Off the board in two European starts last summer, he was second in the latest edition of the Meydan Sprint, renamed the Blue Point Sprint, on Feb. 18.

Watson Pair Loom Large In Burj Nahaar

The father/son training team of Simon and Ed Crisford send out three runners from their Dubai string on Super Saturday, and their best chance could be Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G3 Burj Nahaar going a mile on the dirt. The 5-year-old, who was twice Group 3 placed in France last summer, was a winner last out over that surface and distance in the G3 Jebel Ali Mile on Feb. 12.

Algiers will face stiff opposition, however, from the Doug Watson pair of Mubakker (Speightstown) and Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Shadwell's 6-year-old Mubakker goes the furthest he has in his career and comes into this off wins going six and seven furlongs on Dec. 9 and Jan. 28. Dale Brennan's 8-year-old Golden Goal was second in last year's G2 Godolphin Mile on World Cup night and won the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 when last seen on Jan. 14, and will be tough returning to that course and distance.

Watson, perennially one of the most powerful local stables, also has a strong chance to close out the card with a win, with Al Tariq among the favourites for the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal going six furlongs on the dirt. The 6-year-old gelding won the G3 Dubawi S. over course and distance on Jan. 21 and was third last out in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint on Feb. 11.

The post Saturday’s Previews: Super Saturday At Meydan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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A packed slate of seven pattern races is set for Meydan's 'Super Saturday' card for aspirants to the Dubai World Cup races on Mar. 27, and headlining the card is the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 over the course and distance of the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup. Last-out group winners Salute The Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}) and Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) are the headliners, but potential distance limitations for the pair of them perhaps levels the playing field. The 6-year-old Salute The Soldier went the furthest he has gone last out in the 1900 metre G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2, winning by a diminishing length after hitting the lead two furlongs out.

Secret Ambition is a mile specialist who beat the reopposing Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) over that trip in the G3 Firebreak S. on Feb. 4, and he goes beyond a mile for just the second time in his 40-race career. The only time he attempted this trip was two years ago when he was beaten 12 1/2 lengths in a Meydan handicap on the turf. Salute The Solider and Secret Ambition are, interestingly, both by Australian-bred sprinters and have damsires that are Dubai World Cup winners-Street Cry (Ire) and Singspiel (Ire), respectively–so connections will be hoping they can call on the stamina of their female lines. Salute The Soldier's rider Adrie De Vries said the horse got the trip well last time. “That was a new trip last time and he stayed well, suggesting the extra 200 metres will not be an issue,” the rider said. “He seems in great form and it is exciting to, hopefully, be involved with a genuine Dubai World Cup prospect.”

Hypothetical franked Secret Ambition's form with a mile handicap win on Feb. 18, and he races beyond that trip for the first time since relocating to Dubai for this year's carnival. One who will not struggle with the trip is New Trails (Medaglia d'Oro), who won the Listed Curlin S. over this course and distance first up on Feb. 18, though class is a question mark for the 7-year-old gelding, who at last year's carnival was well beaten in the second and third rounds of the Maktoum Challenge. Saltarin Dubai (Arg) (E Dubai) was fourth in this race last year and signalled his wellness with a win in the Listed Jebel Ali S. over this trip on Feb. 5, while Thegreatcollection (Saint Anddan) was among those closing on Salute The Soldier in Round 2, and his trainer Doug Watson said, “He stayed the 1900 metres well last time and, on that evidence, 2000 metres is not going to be a problem. He has been in great form all season. Hopefully they go quick and he can close on them in the straight. We are really looking forward to seeing how he goes.”

The Al Maktoum Challenge R3 is preceded on the card by the night's other Group 1, the 1800 metre Jebel Hatta on the turf, and the 2019 G1 Queen Anne S. winner Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) looks to continue a resurgence at age eight that has seen him put in two excellent efforts at this year's carnival over this course and distance. A first-up three-length winner of the G2 Singspiel S. on Jan. 21, Lord Glitters got going too late when a fast-finishing third in the G2 Al Rashidiya on Feb. 11, with the Singspiel third Zakouski (GB) (Shamardal) turning the tables after getting first run. Lord Glitters's trainer David O'Meara said, “His last race was just not run to suit him as there was no pace. He does not have the penalty this time and, hopefully, there will be a stronger gallop.”

Zakouski sits out this contest but the Al Rashidiya second Court House (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) reopposes, and he ran a big race in his second start since leaving John Gosden.

The second, third and fourth from the G2 Zabeel Mile on Feb. 18 line up here, and First Contact (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) made a favourable impression in his first start since being picked up by Al Rashid Stables and Satish Seemar from Godolphin for AED210,000 at last September's Racing In Dubai Sale. First Contact had been a listed winner and Group 3-placed in France for Charlie Appleby and was third in this race two years ago, and though he took some time to get himself organized in the Zabeel Mile he kicked on late to run down his former stablemate Art Du Val (GB) (No Nay Never) and grab second.

Another Charlie Appleby runner to keep an eye on is Al Suhail (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the 4-year-old making his first appearance since winning the one-mile Listed Sir Henry Cecil S. at Newmarket by six lengths last July. Al Suhail is lightly raced-his only other effort last year was a down-the-field-finish in the G1 2000 Guineas-and he was twice group-placed at two. Appleby said, “Al Suhail had a setback after winning at Newmarket and subsequently we have had our eye on a Dubai campaign for him. His preparation has gone well and he did a nice racecourse gallop at Meydan last week. We are hoping that he can run a decent race with an eye on going on to the G1 Dubai Turf later in the month, so we expect him to come on for the run, but we have no doubt about his ability to run at this level.”

Streets Ahead

Al Suhail is favoured in the international markets and Appleby likewise fields the favourite for the 2410 metre G2 Dubai City of Gold in the last-out course and distance Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic winner Walton Street (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). On his first run there since winning the Listed Godolphin S. over 2400 metres at Newmarket on Sept. 25, Walton Street went all the way on the front on Jan. 21 and was much the best to beat Saeed bin Suroor's Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) by five lengths. The form has worked out well since, with Dubai Future coming back to win the Listed Meydan Cup on Feb. 4, and with the second there, Volcanic Sky (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), winning the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy on Feb. 25.

“Walton Street was very impressive on his first start of the season and the form of that race has worked out well,” Appleby said. “It was always the plan to then come straight here and his preparation has gone nicely. This is a step up in class, but he deserves his chance at this level.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum's 2020 G3 Winter Derby scorer Dubai Warrior (GB) (Dansili {GB}) makes his second local start for trainer John Gosden. The 5-year-old won the Listed Churchill S. at Lingfield in November and was third behind Sangarius (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Bangkok (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the Listed Quebec S. on Dec. 19, and returns to the turf after beating only his full-brother Mootasadir (GB) home in Round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge on Feb. 11.

A Star To Rise

The G3 Mahab Al Shimaal is the course and distance stepping stone to the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on World Cup night, and with no prior pattern race winners in the field of 13, there is opportunity for someone to rise to the occasion. Premier Star (Tapiture) makes his first start for Doug Watson after being purchased privately from the stable of American trainer Michael Trombetta. The 4-year-old has won four of seven starts including the Listed Jersey Shore S. when last seen on Oct. 14 by 4 3/4 lengths.

Watson, in fact, sends out a strong hand here, with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's Canvassed (Ire) (Shamardal) also among the favourites; the 6-year-old gelding won a course and distance handicap on Feb. 4. Salem bin Ghadayer's Important Mission (More Than Ready) was second there, and again in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint two weeks later. Good Effort (Ire) won five straight races through last year, including the Listed Golden Rose S. on Nov. 14, but had that streak snapped when fourth in the G3 Dubawi S. on Jan. 21.

The one-mile G3 Burj Nahaar sees the return of Group 1 winner and carnival stalwart North America (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The 9-year-old's greatest day came when he beat the two-time Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on this card three years ago, and he has twice won group races over this trip. After winning a pair of Group 2s at the 2019 carnival, North America made just two starts last year, finishing third in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 before beating just one home in the Saudi Cup, so he will have to prove he is still up to the task at his advanced age. Among those waiting in the wings should he not are the 5-year-olds Midnight Sands (Speightstown) and Blown By Wind (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The Cool Silk Partnership's Midnight Sands won five straight races at Meydan from 2019/20 before joining Brendan Walsh in Kentucky for an abbreviated autumn campaign last year, and he is once again back with Doug Watson. Salem bin Ghadayer's Blown By Wind won the G3 Jebel Ali Mile on Jan. 22 but beat just two home when stepped up in trip for the Al Maktoum Challenge R2 on Feb. 11.

Patriota To Continue Progression

The 3-year-olds take their chance in the card-opening Listed Al Bastakiya S. over the 1900 metre trip of the G2 UAE Derby on Mar. 27, and Uruguayan-based trainer Antonio Cintra looks to build on win in this race's trial race on Jan. 28 with El Patriota (Uru) (Ecologo {Arg}), who was making his first start there since winning the Gran Premio Nacional, a local Group 1, in his native country on Nov. 1. The runner-up in the trial, Charles Fipke's Speight'spercomete (Speightstown), reopposes. Salem bin Ghadayer's Panadol (Flatter) is an intriguing prospect making his second start. He broke his maiden by 7 3/4 lengths going a mile at Meydan on Feb. 13, beating the trial third Endifaa (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}).

The Super Saturday card comes to a close with the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint going six furlongs on the grass, and Godolphin once again holds a strong hand with three of the leading contenders. Charlie Appleby's Royal Crusade (GB) (Shamardal) makes his first start since beating the eventual G1 British Champions Sprint S. winner Glen Shiel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in the G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis last July, while the Feb. 4 Listed Dubai Sprint one-two Man Of Promise (Into Mischief) and Final Song (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) re-oppose. They all could have their hands full, however, with Nigel Tinkler's 3-year-old Acklam Express (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who ran a big second to Group 1 sprinter Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) in the G2 Meydan Sprint over a furlong shorter on Feb. 18. He goes beyond the minimum trip for the first time.

The post Super Saturday On Tap At Meydan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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