Super Saturday ramps it up for Dubai World Cup at iconic Meydan

Saeed bin Suroor at a press conference

The build-up to the prestigious Dubai World Cup ramps up with the Super Saturday to be played out at the iconic Meydan Racecourse on Saturday night.
As has been the case, the 23rd renewal of the Dubai World Cup is traditionally slotted for the last day of March and a prelude to that, the Super Saturday gives an idea of the possible contenders for the world's richest race and night in horse racing.
So, for all intents and purposes, Super Saturday is the dress rehearsal and lays down the marker for the Dubai World Cup.
Super Saturday has seven races on a card filled with absolute quality but the cream or the highlight is the third and final round of the Al Maktoum Challenge, worth $400,000. The Group 1 contest will be run over 10 furlongs on dirt, mirroring the Dubai World Cup.
And leading the way for the UAE will be Thunder Snow, the charge of Emirati trainer Saeed bin Suroor. The mount of Oisin Murphy following Christophe Soumillon's suspension, Thunder Snow looks a strong contender for the Dubai World Cup.
The four-year-old from Helmet, Thunder Snow has ample experience, having made his debut two years ago. Thunder Snow is a dual Group 1 winner in Europe, as well as landing both the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) and UAE Derby (G2) last year.
Thunder Snow, who has six wins from 16 starts, also won the Round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge last month.
Godolphin is well represented in the penultimate race of the night with Saeed bin Suroor saddling Team Talk, under Patrick Cosgrave. This will be Team Talk's first appearance on dirt. "Obviously, we know conditions suit him on the Meydan dirt track and he has been in great form since winning the second round of the Al Maktoum Challenge.
This looks a lot tougher challenge, but we are very hopeful of another big run. Team Talk has been working well and we were keen to try him on dirt," said Dubai World Cup-winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
Godolphin also has Boynton, trained by Charlie Appleby and the ride of Dubai World Cup-winning jockey William Buick.
"He was a Group 2 winner as a juvenile in England, but last year basically did not go to plan," Appleby said.
"We were delighted with his winning reappearance and first try on dirt. The draw could have been kinder, but this will help us decide which race to target on World Cup night," he added.
It is a 12-horse fray and the other contenders are Furia Cruzada, Second Summer, Montsarrat, Capezzano, North America, Cosmo Charlie, Saltarin Dubai, Eragon and Special Fighter.
james@khaleejtimes.com