Stage set for the biggest night in horse racing

Dubai - Dubai is all geared up to host the world's richest race this evening. Catch some of the world's fastest horses and best artistes, including Janet Jackson, in action...

Race 1: $1m Dubai Kahayla Classic
Handassa introduced himself as front runner to win the 2000m Dubai Kahayla Classic Purebred Arabian Group-1 for Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, on the account of his impressive performance in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 just over three weeks ago.
That was over the same 2000m dirt course and distance as Saturday's Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic Empowered by IPIC and the Francois Rohaut-trained horse looks the most likely winner.
Qatar mounts a strong challenge, arguably headed by TM Thunder Struck, the mount of Olivier Peslier and trained by Alban de Mieulle.
Race 2: $1m Godolphin Mile
The Godolphin Mile looks very competitive and last year's runner-up, the Jeremy Noseda-trained Sloane Avenue again has to overcome a wide draw.
Elsewhere, Godolphin decided to reroute Marking to the Group-2 Godolphin Mile instead of his original target, the Group-1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, the original option for the sprinter under James Doyle for trainer Karan McLaughlin.
Meanwhile, Doug Watson saddles three of the ten runners with Pat Dobbs siding with Cool Cowboy, Sam Hitchcott rides One Man Band, with Dane O'Neill aboard Faulkner to complete the trio.
"All three are fit and well," said Watson. "They should all run a big race and to have three genuine contenders is a great position to be in."
Race 3: $1m Dubai Gold Cup
The Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors is the longest race on the card and looks at the mercy of Vazirabad.
The mount of Christophe Soumillon, he is trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre and arrives here having won his five most recent starts.
It is hard to look away from him in trying to find the winner with fellow French challenger, Manatee, trained by Andre Fabre for Godolphin, perhaps the main danger.
Race 4: $2m UAE Derby Group-2
Polar River, will attempt to achieve something never been done before when she takes her place in the UAE Derby.
Already winner of the UAE 1000 Guineas and UAE Oaks, Doug Watson's remarkable filly has the opportunity to land a 'UAE Fillies' Triple Crown'.
Of the fillies, only Godolphin's Khawlah has won the race, but she only contested the UAE Oaks on her local debut. Polar River has yet to taste defeat in four career outings and looks the stand-out runner.
"She had a few little issues before the UAE Oaks," said Watson. "Her preparation for this week has been a lot smoother and she should be the one to beat."
Race 5: $1m Al Quoz Sprint
Hong Kong-based trainer John Moore, is not short of confidence when appraising the prospects of Not Listenin'tome in the Al Quoz Sprint. "I won the Golden Shaheen two years ago with Sterling City but I'd say this horse is in even better condition," the veteran Australian-born handler said.
"He looks terrific, he has got that golden sheen to his coat. Kelvin, his work rider, said he felt 200 per cent in his jump-out on the turf this morning."
Hong Kong sprinters are, rightly, renowned for their prowess worldwide and this Group 1 down the Meydan stretch has twice fallen to emissaries from Sha Tin in the past four years via Joy And Fun (2012) and Amber Sky (2014).
Don't be surprised if that record is enhanced on Saturday courtesy of either Not Listenin'tome or his rival, the Hong Kong Sprint champion Peniaphobia (IRE).
"There isn't much between the two of those horses, but over 1000m I think my horse is better. The only time they met at the distance our horse came out on top. It is interesting that they are drawn beside each other so I think they will be upsides as they track the leaders," Moore predicted.
"But the form of Not Listenin'tome is excellent. He very nearly broke the 1000m track record in Hong Kong last time out at this distance and that was carrying 133lbs. When you consider the quality of sprinters that Hong Kong has had over many years, that was a huge effort.
Race 6: $2m Dubai Golden Shaheen
American sprinter X Y Jet looks good to continue the American domination over the 1200m Dubai Golden Shaheen G-1 (dirt) as the Jorge Navarro-trained is unbeaten since dropping back to six furlongs last September.
His winning run started at Monmouth Park and has gone on to win five consecutive races including two Group 3's. His latest victory came in the Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes when making all the running to beat Candip by a length and a quarter.
Godolphin's hopes rest with Confrontation, a six-year-old gelding by War Pass trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. His latest victory came at Meydan over a mile when beating One Man Band by two lengths. He had finished runner-up on five occasions in America prior to joining Godolphin and he runs here in preference to the Godolphin Mile.
Paul Hanagan rides Muarrab, a seven-year-old gelding by Oasis Dream out of a mare by Wolfhound. He won a Group 3 at Meydan earlier this month, beating Kifaah by five and a quarter lengths. He was given an unchallenged lead that day but is unlikely to get that with X Y Jet in opposition. He had previously finished runner-up to Rich Tapestry, beaten a length and a half.
Super Jockey was beaten a short-head by Not Listenin'tome at Sha Tin last time out. The New Zealand-bred gelding is by Sandtrap out of a mare by Pompeii Court. He ran a fine race here last season when just failing to catch Secret Circle and he looks to have been primed for this race.
Race 7: $6m Dubai Turf Group-1
Dubai - Tryster who was Previously considered an 'all-weather specialist' having won all six starts on synthetics in England last year, has again shown an amazing burst of acceleration this year.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, Tryster was originally bounded for the main race, Dubai World Cup Group-1, but after the amazing turn of foot which he has shown in the 1800m Jebel Hatta Group-2 on the Super Saturday, it has been decided to send for the Group-1 Dubai Turf over the same distance and course.
William Buick who will ride Tryster said: "I have ridden plenty of top horses but this fellow has an amazing turn of foot. His acceleration is remarkable and a truly potent weapon."
Intilaaq (USA), representing owner Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is a fascinating contender having swapped targets from the Dubai World Cup.
His trainer, Roger Varian, explained: "We were aiming towards the Dubai World Cup and had prepared him for that in the UK but the Dubai Turf opened up when Solow came out and Shaikh Hamdan felt that this was the right race for him.
Race 8: $6m Dubai Sheema Classic Group-1
Now trained by Varian, Postponed looks the one to beat in the Dubai Sheema Classic presented by Longines, having impressed with a smooth victory over the same 2410m course and distance in Super Saturday's Dubai City Of Gold.
Winner of last year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes when trained by Luca Cumani, his owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum moved him to Varian after he took the Prix Foy.
That, in September, was supposed to be his prep race for the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe but injury ruled him out of that contest.
His Super Saturday victory was his first outing since then and delighted his new trainer.
"He was very good on Super Saturday," said Varian. He should have improved for the outing and we have to be very hopeful."
Japanese challenger, Duramente (JPN), looks a serious threat under Mirco Demuro. Trained by Noriyuki Hori, he won his homeland's 2000 Guineas and Derby last year.
Ireland's Aidan O'Brien has just one runner on the card, Highland Reel (IRE), winner of last year's Hong Kong Vase and Secretariat Stakes. He should run a big race but Postponed very much looks the most likely winner.