Meydan Tips on March 4th

The ninth fixture of the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival is known as Super Saturday and takes place at Meydan on Saturday afternoon.

Two excellent Group One races headline Saturday's festivities, with strong fields entered for both the Al Maktoum Challenge R3 and the Jebel Hatta.

Here are our top five tips on Super Saturday at Meydan.

Meydan Tips on March 4th - Super Saturday Tips

Race 1 - City Of Gold Tips

Super Saturday opens with an open renewal of this valuable Grade Two. Hong Kong raider, Senor Toba is the highest-rated runner in the field, but he currently sits second behind Charlie Appleby's Kemari in the betting.

Interestingly, William Buick has opted to ride GLOBAL STORM over the market-leading Kemari. Appleby's six-year-old won a handicap here at Meydan last season, before going on to finish just two lengths behind Hukum when third in this contest. Global Heat hasn't been seen since September, but his record when fresh is excellent and he could go two better than last year.

Race 3 - Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint Tips

Gordon Elliott may be busy preparing his runners for the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, but I'm sure he'll spare ten minutes or so to see how Coachello gets on in this winnable Group Three. The one Coachello will have to catch is Al Dasim, who handed George Boughey his first victories in Meydan this winter and the favourite has every chance of landing a hat-trick. 

At the prices, I'll take a wild stab at VENTURA REBEL, who showed he had plenty of ability during his time with Richard Fahey, winning a Group Three at the Curragh back in 2020. Having missed the break on his first four starts for Ahmad bin Harmash, Ventura Rebel finally got off to a good start in the Jebel Ali Free Zone last time out and was only beaten a length back in third. If he breaks quickly again, then Ventura Rebel has every chance of hitting the frame.

Race 5 - Al Maktoum Challenge R3 Tips

14 runners will go to post in the final round of the Al Maktoum Challenge before the final takes place on Dubai World Cup day. BENDOOG has gone close a number of times during this DWC Carnival and I'll be disappointed if James Doyle's mount doesn't claim that elusive victory on Saturday.

Bhupat Seemar's four-year-old was beaten a lengthy by Remorse on his reappearance, before a decent third behind Salute The Soldier in the Thunder Snow Challenge. Bendoog then tried to make the running in R2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge, but was picked off by the classy Algiers who ran out an impressive six-length winner.

There's no Algiers in the field on Saturday and Doyle's mount is drawn much better than his main rival Salute The Soldier. I expect the favourite to deliver this weekend.

Race 7 - Jebel Hatta Tips

The best bet on Saturday has to be REAL WORLD, who established himself as one of the best milers around during 2022. Saeed Bin Suroor's star bolted up in the Zabeel Mile here at Meydan last January and went on to place second behind the peerless Baaeed in the Lockinge and Queen Anne Stakes.

Danny Tudhope's mount comes into this race on the back of a break. Real World's record when fresh is excellent and Bin Suroor's six-year-old boasts winning form over this nine-furlong distance. 5/2 could turn out to be a very good price.

Race 8 - Mahab Al Shimaal Tips

I tend to stay away from the dirt races out in Dubai, but on this occasion, I fancy a punt on Bhupat Seemar's recruit SOUND MONEY, who brings some strong US form to the table.

Sound Money finished second behind two of America's top stars last season, losing out to Cody's Wish over a mile at Belmont, before a runner-up finish behind Jackie's Warrior back down over six-and-a-half. Mickael Barzalona's mount travelled nicely behind Jackie's Warrior that day and I wouldn't be surprised to see Sound Money challenge over this six-furlong trip.