It is Super Saturday this week, the dress rehearsal for the Dubai World Cup meeting three weeks later and the second most significant UAE race meeting of the season.
With just under $2million of prize money to be won, and Dubai World Cup night claims on the line, it has, not surprisingly, attracted a stellar equine cast.
A plethora of Group 1 winners will be in action, in races that have a tendency to offer big night clues – though interestingly, not since 2006 and Godolphin’s Electrocutionist, has the card thrown up a Dubai World Cup winner.
The most famous World Cup winner of them all, Dubai Millennium, won on the equivalent card in 2000 – but Super Saturday was only introduced in 2003.
Since that inaugural Super Saturday, no less than 21 horses to run on the card have gone on to win the Dubai World Cup night. And if you are planning on attending the races on Saturday, take heed of the Meydan dress code – Whilst there is a casual dress code for the free admission area, smart attire is required for all those entering the Meydan Grandstand hospitality area.
Women are encouraged to wear hats and race wear, although this is optional shorts are strictly prohibited in the Meydan Grandstand. And of course, Super Saturday is a great opportunity to prepare for the World Cup Day outfit, though, as opposed to the Nad Al Sheba era.
Since the racing switched to Meydan there is no fashion show or chance to win big prizes for ‘best hat’ etc – for those opportunities you must wait three weeks and Dubai World Cup night itself.
So, whereas World Cup night is the occasion for the socialites and the fashion conscious, those who want to be seen at the right location for the big event, in many ways, Super Saturday is more for the equine purist.
Horseracing fans get the chance to see the vast majority of the horses who will be there on World Cup night, at a fraction of the cost on a far less frantic occasion. Dubai Racing Club CEO Frank Gabriel said: “It is our second biggest meeting of the season and a great card in its own right towards the end of the highly successful Dubai World Cup Carnival.
“The beauty of this meeting is the fact we will see so many clues for the big night itself – with plenty of big names making their Dubai and/or seasonal debuts, clashing with those who have campaigned throughout the Carnival.
“But we should not lose sight of the fact this is a quality race meeting in its own right with two Thoroughbred Group 1 races, as well as the Group 1 Purebred Arabian Maktoum Challenge III.
“It provides an excellent opportunity for racing fans to see some of the best horses in the world racing here at Meydan.”
South African Mike De Kock’s Shea Shea broke the 1,000m turf track record when winning the Meydan Sprint on Super Saturday last year, before lowering that mark in the Al Quoz Sprint on the big night.
Shea Shea is just one of the multiple equine stars in action on Saturday, including fellow 2013 World Cup night winners Reynaldothewizard and Soft Falling Rain.
If racing is your game, Meydan is the place to be this Saturday.
WHAT: Super Saturday races.
WHERE: Meydan, Nad al Sheba.
WHEN: March 8, from 16:30.
Sport360° VERDICT: It’s a great buildup to the Dubai World cup with some of the strongest contenders out to prove their mettle. It promises to be a great day out.
CONTACT: Log on to www.dubairacingclub.com
