Postponed will attempt to be the first horse to win the Dubai Sheema Classic twice on World Cup night.  Pawan Singh / The National
Postponed will attempt to be the first horse to win the Dubai Sheema Classic twice on World Cup night. Pawan Singh / The National

Super Saturday aims to be the ideal springboard for Dubai World Cup success once again



DUBAI // Even after three international horses have been flown in to run at Super Saturday, the Dubai Racing Club is taking the long view on how to attract more high-quality competition to the second-best night in the UAE calendar.

Postponed, Lani and Decorated Knight will headline the $1.8 million (Dh6.6m) card at Meydan Racecourse.

Postponed defends his crown in the Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold in preparation for an attempt to become the first horse to win the Dubai Sheema Classic twice on World Cup night.

Japan’s Lani is on a fact-finding mission in the third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge.

Last season’s UAE Derby winner has been in and out of form in America and Japan since his heroics at Dubai 12 months ago, and connections hope that either an invitation to the World Cup, or the Godolphin Mile, will be forthcoming after Saturday’s effort.

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Read more

■ Dubai World Cup Carnival: Postponed's wide draw presents challenge

■ Dubai World Cup Carnival: Five things to watch on Super Saturday

■ Arrogate: Gets 'green light' to compete at Dubai World Cup

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Decorated Knight is yet to win a Classic — or a Group 1 contest — but lines up as the favourite for the Group 1 Jebel Hatta, having graduated through the ranks in England under Roger Charlton’s guidance.

They are all good horses, but Postponed apart, they are a far cry from the quality that is primed to fly in over the next three weeks ahead of the World Cup meeting that will be headed by Arrogate, the world’s best horse.

The Al Maktoum Challenge was upgraded to a Group 1 race alongside the Jebel Hatta in time for the 2012 World Cup Carnival and the prize money for the showpiece dirt and turf events are $400,000 and $300,000, respectively.

That sort of prize money is not to be sniffed at, and since the Super Saturday concept was launched in 2003 it has proved to be a solid springboard to the richest night in racing. Twelve horses have completed the Super Saturday and World Cup double, and a further 17 World Cup night winners stepped up from Super Saturday.

“Our intention is to get more international runners to use this night as a prep,” Dubai Racing Club’s executive director Frank Gabriel said.

“Of course the methods of preparation vary from trainer to trainer, particularly across jurisdictions, and we have to respect their decisions.

“The Jebel Hatta on turf is the one race we are looking at particularly.”

If the racing club is struggling to get the best international talent for Super Saturday, it has helped create an environment whereby the three-year-old dirt population is thriving.

When Meydan chose to replace the Tapeta surface with dirt for the 2014/15 season, only six turned up in the Al Bastikiya, the traditional prep for the UAE Derby.

Last season, Market Rally beat only three others, whereas this season a field of 12 runners is the biggest for five years.

This has been made possible by the programme for young dirt horses being implemented.

It is no surprise that the three favourites, Mike de Kock’s Fawree, Godolphin’s Capezzano and Doug Watson’s Cosmo Charlie — in addition to Satish Seemar’s Dawwass — all took advantage of the first programme before the Carnival began in December.

“It has taken time for the horsemen to adjust, to buy the right horses for the surface and hopefully we are beginning to see the fruit of their work,” Gabriel said.

“There has been an influx of two-year-olds here. We started out with a few two-year-old races and then just kept adding to the programme.

“You are continually adding to your pool of horses and building your horse population.

“But if you don’t have that horse population competing against international Group 1 horses you have nothing to measure them against.”

For now you will just have to appreciate what the likes of Postponed, Lani and Decorated Knight bring to the table.

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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai

Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:

• Dubai Marina

The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739 
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960 
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104

• Downtown

Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure.  “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154

• City Walk

The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena.  “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809 
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052 
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210 

• Jumeirah Lake Towers

Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629 
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818 
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941

• Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770 
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002 
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152 

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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LA LIGA FIXTURES

Friday (UAE kick-off times)

Real Sociedad v Leganes (midnight)

Saturday

Alaves v Real Valladolid (4pm)

Valencia v Granada (7pm)

Eibar v Real Madrid (9.30pm)

Barcelona v Celta Vigo (midnight)

Sunday

Real Mallorca v Villarreal (3pm)

Athletic Bilbao v Levante (5pm)

Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (7pm)

Getafe v Osasuna (9.30pm)

Real Betis v Sevilla (midnight)

The biog

Name: Fareed Lafta

Age: 40

From: Baghdad, Iraq

Mission: Promote world peace

Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi

Role models: His parents 

Indoor Cricket World Cup

Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 


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