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| Sumita Pawar |
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Meydan will host a revamped Super Saturday card with quite a few exciting 3YO horses looking to make an impression. Warren Point, the winner of the Dubai Millennium Stakes, will return along with some other notable horses.
All eight Godolphin contenders in Emirates Airline-sponsored card are trained by Charlie Appleby. Warren Point will step up to a mile and a half for the Gr.2 Dubai City Of Gold, following his last-gasp success in the 10-furlong Gr.3 Dubai Millennium Stakes. Castle Way, a listed scorer, will make his debut in Dubai in the same contest, having already proven his stamina in the UK with his victory in the Gr.3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket and a second-place finish in York's Gr.2 Great Voltigeur Stakes.
Bold Act, the son of New Approach, will also experience Meydan for the first time in the Dubai City Of Gold. He ended a progressive 2023 with a swooping success in the Gr.3 Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland's Fall Meet.
Charlie Appleby said, “Warren Point has won over a mile and a half in the past, so stepping back up in trip won’t be an issue. He should be bang there at the finish.
“Castle Way is probably the horse out of my three with the most scope to progress throughout the season. He ended his 3YO campaign with a couple of strong efforts and is ready to get going again.
“Bold Act enjoyed travelling last year and put up a good performance to win at Keeneland in the autumn. He heads into this in good nick and I’m looking forward to seeing both him and Castle Way back on the racecourse.”
On his first appearance in 15 months, Noble Dynasty, a 6YO half-brother to Barney Roy, is set to step up to Gr.3 level in the Ras Al Khor. In 2022, he won three of his four starts and finished his campaign with seven-furlong victories at Newmarket and Lingfield.
Charlie Appleby said, “Noble Dynasty runs well fresh and looks in great shape. He has a nice draw in stall four and should be involved in the finish.”
Star Of Mystery is eyeing to maintain her unbeaten record in her 3YO season as she prepares for the Gr.3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint. Having already secured a win against her own generation in the Al Wasl Stakes, the horse, who is the half-sibling of Althiqa and Mysterious Night, further impressed by comfortably defeating the older opposition in the Gr.2 Blue Point Sprint.
Charlie Appleby said, “Star Of Mystery has enjoyed a little break since the Blue Point Sprint and a repeat performance of that win will make her very competitive again. It’s a good field but we are very happy with her.”
In both Listed races for 3YOs on the card, Godolphin has a promising presence. Legend Of Time, who won the Jumeirah Guineas Trial and Jumeirah Guineas, is seeking to continue the winning streak in the Jumeirah Classic. Meanwhile, Musical Act, who finished seventh in the Jumeirah Guineas after a slow start, will also compete in the nine-furlong race.
Charlie Appleby said, “Legend Of Time has done well since the Jumeirah Guineas and this was always the target afterwards. He heads into the race in great shape.
“Musical Act was a bit unfortunate in the Jumeirah Guineas, when he got caught up in an early speed duel and didn’t finish his race. I’m hoping he can do everything the right way round this time and will be disappointed if he doesn’t make the places.”
In the Jumeirah 1,000 Guineas, Cinderella's Dream hopes to maintain her unbeaten streak. She was victorious twice in the UK last year, and in the Jumeirah Fillies' Classic in February, she comfortably defeated the subsequent winner Beautiful Love.
Charlie Appleby said, “Cinderella’s Dream is in great order and stepping back up to a mile is going to suit. The form of her latest win has been franked by Beautiful Love and she looks the one to beat.”