No crowd but still a host of stars on trial for World Cup meeting at Meydan

Super Saturday will have something of a sombre feel as the spectre of coronavirus means it will take place behind closed doors, but the track will still host six Group races which provides the perfect appetiser for World Cup night on March 28.

In the feature Group 1 Jebel Hatta (2.20), Godolphin horses occupy the first four places in the betting but whether odds-on Barney Roy should be quite so short is debatable.

He is just about the form pick and prepped for this with a good win at the track in January. However, this light-framed horse has a good record when fresh, tending to hold his form but not necessarily improve for his seasonal debut, while a wide draw in stall 12 casts further doubts.

Quirky Dream Castle won this last year but that came in a substandard race for the top level and more will be needed today.

All this points to Magic Lily having sound each-way claims. For all that Barney Roy could still win he does not have much in hand of his better-drawn stablemate who is available at a price which crucially accommodates an each-way angle. Two wins against her own sex this season suggest this lightly raced mare retains all of her ability.

The other race on the card of interest to the majority of British punters is the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold (3.30). Godolphin fields four but the key question for many is whether hot favourite Defoe is a good thing.

Defoe (right) defeated Kew Gardens to win the Coronation Cup at Epsom last yearCredit: Mark Cranham

On one hand, he hasn't run since July and although he won last season's Coronation Cup at Epsom, Defoe's overall record suggests he isn't quite up to Group 1 standard, at least in Europe.

On the other hand, he is still a few pounds clear of the best of the others here, has a record of 1114 on his seasonal debut and reports of a racecourse gallop at Lingfield recently suggest there's a good chance he'll go well. All in all, quotes of around evens look about right.

Pablo Escobarr is the clear next best. This progressive four-year-old ran well when second in a handicap over course and distance last time and looks almost guaranteed to run to form again. That isn't the case with Desert Encounter, who shouldn't be second favourite here on the back of that last run when he was well beaten.
Race analysis by Mel Cullinan

Jebel Hatta – What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Barney Roy, Magic Lily and Spotify
We have been delighted with the way Barney Roy has come out of the Al Rashidiya and he has improved for the run. His preparation has gone well and the only negative is that he is drawn wide in stall 12, but we feel his class can overcome it. Magic Lily has put in two good performances and is a filly that we have always held in high regard. Spotify ran into an on-song Ghaiyyath and has bounced out of that race well. He has earned his chance in a race like this.

Marco Botti, trainer of Wait Forever
He’s a nice horse who’s run a couple of good races at Meydan. This looks a tough task and if he could be placed we’d be delighted.

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Dream Castle and Royal Meeting
He has improved a lot during the Carnival and started to run well again. We know this is a good distance for him and he goes into the race in good form. Royal Meeting has had a problem with his wind and has been disappointing so far this year. I am hoping for a better effort this time.

City Of Gold – What they say

Roger Varian, trainer of Defoe
He was working well at home before he left for Dubai where he arrived safely last Thursday and has settled in well. He is a different type of horse to Postponed [Varian's winner in 2016], very straightforward and easy to deal with. He takes everything in his stride and hopefully he runs well.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of First Nation, Jalmoud and Loxley
First Nation is consistent and has run some solid races at the carnival without winning. He comes into this race in rude health. On the book, Jalmoud and Loxley have better form, but William Buick picked First Nation as he has been so consistent this year. It looks like we are probably running for a place.

Saeed bin Suroor, trainer of Mountain Hunter
Mountain Hunter ran well over shorter earlier in the carnival but we feel that a mile and a half suits him well. This looks a nice race for him.
Reporting by Jason Ford

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