Meydan Super Saturday Preview

Most major race meetings around the world have their 'trials day.' In Europe, the most notable are the G1 Arc 'trials,' run at Longchamp three weeks before the big race itself. Same track, same distance, often the same opposition - all of which sparks great interest.

The same can be said of Super Saturday at Meydan, which acts as the perfect prelude to G1 Dubai World Cup night, still unchallenged as the world's richest programme of racing.

Can the right clues be found on Saturday for pinpointing the big winners at Meydan on March 26? Or, are the would-be stars resting in their stables before the finishing touches are later applied in their preparations?

A field of 12 line up for the fascinating G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, which features the appearance of Keen Ice, whose place in history is already etched deep in American racing as the three-year-old responsible for the shock defeat of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the G1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga.

But since that memorable day, Keen Ice has run three times and been well held on each occasion. He finished sixth of eight runners in the G1 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park last time. The booking of former British champion Ryan Moore is very interesting in a race that could have a bearing on the World Cup itself.

Keen Ice is officially the highest rated but classy Mubtaahij, the G2 UAE Derby winner before a respectable 4th in the G1 Belmont Stakes last June, is expected to show significant improvement on his 5th in the G3 Firebreak Stakes on February 4 and must go well.

The Godolphin runner, Watershed, is still a work in progress, but trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has a knack of bringing on these lightly-raced types. Watershed was running on strongly for 3rd behind Confrontation in the Firebreak and this is a chance to gauge his progress since arriving in Dubai.

The prolific winner Tryster can enhance his prospects in the G1 Dubai Turf by winning the G1 Jebel Hatta, in which he faces nine rivals. Tryster has been one of Godolphin's most reliable servants, and his easy win last time, on turf, was very good.

Trainer Charlie Appleby is confident his horse has the class and turn-of-foot required to handle any tactical situation. "His fractions have been exceptional," Appleby said.

The G2 Dubai City Of Gold is a stepping stone to the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, and Postponed, having his first start for trainer Roger Varian, will be hard to beat. He won the G1 King George at Ascot in the style of a progressive horse.

Godolphin have an excellent chance of lifting the G3 Meydan Sprint, over 1,000m, with either Toscanini or Jungle Cat. The latter won at Meydan on January 28 on his only outing since the Royal Ascot meeting in June.