The 6-year-old hit the ground running and was forwardly placed and out of trouble through the early stages. When El Drama crossed all the way down to the inside from his high draw, Dane O'Neill seized upon the opportunity, asked Alfareeq to follow the move and the duo chased from second. Positions remained largely unchanged for the run around the turn, and El Drama still held the call as the Jebel Hatta field hit the straight. Asked to kick by David Egan, El Drama responded gamely and clung to a narrow advantage with time ticking away, but O'Neill was able to conjure up one final effort from Alfareeq, who dove across the line narrowly best following a final 400 metres in :23.01.

“[El Drama] took a bit of passing but my lad is nothing if not tough,” said O'Neill, enjoying one of his best seasons to date in the UAE. “He's been second on every start this season and he deserved that, but he dug deep for it.”

Of the beaten brigade, Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), sent off the international favourite from barrier two, raced in a significant amount of traffic and in the slipstream of the comebacking and headstrong Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) down the backstretch, was steered to the outside once produced in upper stretch by William Buick and rattled home to be a very good third. Real World was one-paced through the final 200 metres, while the commonly owned Valiant Prince (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) did him no favours by pulling fiercely beneath James Doyle after First Winter (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) bore out into him nearing midway. Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a latest winner of the H H The Amir Trophy in Qatar two weeks ago, lingered at the back of the field and also attacked the line to be in a photo for fifth in what was meant as a prep for the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic on Mar. 25.

Seventh to the dead-heating Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in last year's G1 Dubai Turf–the final race of a five-race prep–Alfareeq resumed with a runner-up effort in listed company over a mile at Abu Dhabi

Dec. 4 and filled the same spot behind Saturday's impressive Ras Al Khor conditions winner Al Suhail (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the 1400-metre G2 Al Fahidi Fort Jan. 6. The gray was most recently outbobbed by Valiant Prince in the course-and-distance

G2 Singspiel S. Feb. 3.

Pedigree Notes

Alfareeq is out of a winning daughter of Listed Poker Star S. heroine Sudoor, the dam of the late G3 Prix Noailles winner Raseed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Third dam Wissal was a full-sister to Bahhare and a half-sister to Bahri and was herself responsible for the listed-winning and Group 3-placed Mudaaraah (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}).

Urjuwaan is also the dam of a yearling Ribchester (Ire) filly that fetched €28,000 at last year's Goffs November Sale.

Saturday, Meydan, Middle East
JEBEL HATTA (SPONSORED BY EMIRATES.COM)-G1, $350,000, Meydan, 3-4, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 1800mT, 1:48.19, gd.
1–ALFAREEQ (IRE), 126, g, 6, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Urjuwaan (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire)
2nd Dam: Sudoor (GB), by Fantastic Light
3rd Dam: Wissal, by Woodman
O-Shadwell; B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE);
T-Musabbeh Al Mheiri; J-Dane O'Neill. $210,000. Lifetime
Record: SP-Fr, 22-5-6-3, $685,234. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–El Drama (Ire), 126, h, 5, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Victoire Finale
(GB), by Peintre Celebre. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE.
(425,000gns ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al
Maktoum; B-Farm Cove Thoroughbreds (IRE); T-Roger Varian.
$70,000.
3–Master Of The Seas (Ire), 126, g, 5, Dubawi (Ire)–Firth Of
Lorne (Ire), by Danehill. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie
Appleby. $35,000.
Margins: NK, NK, 1 3/4.
Also Ran: Erzindjan (Ire), Russian Emperor (Ire), Valiant Prince (Ire), Shelir (Ire), Aegean Finale, I Am Superman (Ire), Real World (Ire), Aeonian (Ire), Maydanny (Ire), First Winter (Ire), Hawa Bilady. Scratched: Land Of Legends (Ire). VIDEO.

Alfareeq records successive victories in the Jebel Hatta Sponsored by https://t.co/CdxgMtk2bY for Dane O'Neill & Musabbeh Al Mheiri

A fine effort from the six-year-old to land the G1 contest once again

2022
2023#DWC23 | #RacingDubai | @emirates pic.twitter.com/al30IDoZx8

— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 4, 2023

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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.

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A nine-time winner from 35 starts, the earner of $2,220,544 is in his sixth season of racing and has competed in 13 Group or Grade 1 affairs, winning twice and placing four times. Saturday's triumph added to an eye-catching victory in the 2019 Queen Anne Stakes (G1) and was his second win from four starts over the Dubai turf course.

“I'm over the moon,” O'Meara said. “It was a great ride by Danny (Tudhope) and a fantastic job done by (assistant/rider) Matt Ennis, who's looking after him out there. It's great for the Turnbull family. Geoff obviously passed away last summer and he'll be looking down smiling, I suspect. Nick, who (runs the stable) now is doing a great job. All systems go, now, for the Dubai Turf. Hopefully we can get there fit and well.”

Geoff Turnbull, who along with wife Sandra ran in name and as Elwick Stud, passed at age 74 in mid-July. The pair's dark blue and pink colors have competed at the top level across the world, including winning the Woodbine Mile (G1) and Arlington Million (G1) with Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) runner-up Mondialiste–who competed in UK, France, America, Canada, Hong Kong and Dubai–and in the past few years by his heir apparent Lord Glitters.

Since being purchased at Arqana for $322,659, following four wins from nine runs in France for Christophe Lotoux, the leggy Lord Glitters has gone on to eclipse Mondialiste's earnings mark, while competing against the best milers and middle-distance horses in the world. His brilliant third-place finish to one of history's great fillies, Almond Eye, in the 2019 Dubai Turf (G1) turned out to be a bit of magic foreshadowing, as he has returned to the UAE for the Dubai World Cup Carnival this year and thrice flourished over the same 1800m (nine-furlong) trip. In addition to the Jebel Hatta, he won the Singspiel (G2) and was an unlucky second in the Al Rashidiya (G2).

The focus now is on the next battle for the ageless warrior: a return to the $4 million Dubai Turf–one without Almond Eye and in which he figures as one of the favorites. A secondary focal point will be keeping the high-energy, massive athlete calm and collected as he faces the very best the globe can throw at him. Such appears to be a labor of love for connections who continue to admire his infinite fervor for competition.

“He's nearly been the same since the day he walked in the yard,” O'Meara said. “He hasn't lost any of his enthusiasm and his exuberant ways. He's a joy to have around the place.

“He's come out of the race okay and swam for a few days and had an easy time of it ahead of building him back up for world cup night,” O'Meara concluded. “We don't need to work him too hard. He's always very generous in his work. A lot of times, it's just keeping a lid on him. On race day, he can get a little warm, but we know him well, now, and how to manage his ways.”

Lord Glitters will surely shine as brightly as he can on Dubai World Cup day.

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Sitting near the rear of the pack and on the outside while Godolphin's highly regarded Al Suhail (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was tucked in between horses, Lord Glitters began to wind up on the outside upon turning for home, but it appeared briefly as if Al Suhail had got first run. Godolphin's bay, however, drifted out and shortened stride at the same time as Lord Glitters began to kick into high gear under a driving ride from Danny Tudhope, and the grey hit the lead in the dying strides to win by a length.

“I think the way the race developed early on didn't suit him,” said Tudhope, who missed out on the horse's win in the G2 Singspiel S on Jan. 21 while he was still in England. Ongoing Covid travel restrictions meant that neither his trainer nor owner have made the trip to Dubai.

“He doesn't like it when they go that steady. I had William [Buick, on Al Suhail] in front of me and when he came out and started to make his move that's when [Lord Glitters] started to pick up and motor,” Tudhope continued. “He likes to come through gaps, he's that sort of horse, so in the end it suited him. It just shows you what a classy horse he is. He's got the ability but I think when he comes up against proper Group 1 horses these days it is hard for him with younger horses coming through. He ran some solid races the whole year last year and didn't have a hard campaign, so he came out here fairly fresh.”

The never-say-die run from the popular 8-year-old gave Yorkshire-based David O'Meara his first Meydan Group 1 victory. Lord Glitters races in the colours of Sandra Turnbull, whose husband Geoff died last July at the age of 74. The Turnbull family own Elwick Stud near Hartlepool, which is now home to their dual Grade 1 winner Mondialiste (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has first 2-year-old runners this year.

Tudhope added, “It's just amazing really for the owners to get another Group 1 to their name. A big thank you to the owners who have given me plenty of chances. I'm glad I could deliver for them.”

Lord Glitters won four times in his native France before being sold for €270,000 at the 2017 Arqana Arc Sale. Since joining the O'Meara stable, he has added another five wins to his record from 35 runs in total. His next start in Dubai, which will be his fourth at Meydan this winter, will be in the G1 Dubai Turf on World Cup night in three weeks' time.

Pedigree notes
Lord Glitters was bred in Normandy by the Lepeudry family's Elevage de Tourgeville in partnership with Hilary Erculiani. His dam, the listed-placed Lady Glitters (Fr) (Homme De Loi {Fr}), produced eight winners from her 13 foals, including Pivoline (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}), the dam of G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron winner Petit Chevalier (Fr) (High Chaparral {Ire}). Lady Glitters is a half-sister to the listed-winning duo of Grey Glitters (Fr) (Grey Risk [Fr})) and Loupy Glitters (Fr) (Loup Solitaire).

Saturday, Meydan, Middle East
JEBEL HATTA (SPONSORED BY EMIRATES AIRLINE)-G1, $260,000, Meydan, 3-6, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 1800mT, 1:48.44, gd.
1–LORD GLITTERS (FR), 126, g, 8, by Whipper
1st Dam: Lady Glitters (Fr) (MSP-Fr), by Homme de Loi (Ire)
2nd Dam: Marie Glitters, by Crystal Glitters
3rd Dam: Marie de Vez (Fr), by Crystal Palace (Fr)
(€25,000 Ylg '14 AROOCT; €270,000 HRA '17 ARQJUL).
O-Geoff & Sandra Turnbull; B-SCA Elevage de Tourgeville &
Mme Hilary Erculiani (FR); T-David O'Meara; J-Daniel Tudhope.
$156,000. Lifetime Record: SP-Fr, G1SW-Eng, 35-9-9-5,
$2,220,544. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
   Werk Nick Rating: A++.
2–Eqtiraan (Ire), 126, g, 7, Helmet (Aus)–Miranda Frost (Ire), by
Cape Cross (Ire). (92,000gns Wlg '14 TATNOV; 250,000gns Ylg
'15 TATOCT). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum;
B-Victor Stud Bloodstock & Brendan Cummins (IRE); T-Ali
Rashid Al Rayhi. $52,000.
3–Al Suhail (GB), 126, c, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Shirocco Star (GB), by
Shirocco (Ger). (1,100,000gns Ylg '18 TATOCT). O-Godolphin;
B-Meon Valley Stud (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. $26,000.
Margins: HF, SHD, SHD.
Also Ran: Art Du Val (GB), Court House (Ire), Zainhom, First Contact (Ire), Royal Marine (Ire), Moqtarreb (GB), Lucius Tiberius (Ire), Boerhan (GB).
Click for the Racing Post chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video.

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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.

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