Coronavirus Fears Shut Meydan Doors on 'Super Saturday'

The "Super Saturday" meeting March 7 at Meydan will take place behind closed doors because of the global coronavirus outbreak.

There have been 28 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United Arab Emirates, with the nation's Health and Community Protection Ministry warning its residents March 5 not to travel abroad.

Super Saturday, the second-biggest meeting of the year at Meydan, takes place three weeks before the March 28 Dubai World Cup Night.

Meetings at Al Ain, Jebel Ali, and Abu Dhabi will also take place without racegoers this week.

"Though without spectators, all races will be contested and regulated in a standard fashion, and results will be recorded in an official capacity," read a statement from the Emirates Racing Authority. "The horse connections, sponsors, and media personnel will only be allowed to attend the races."

Find attached information regarding racing this week in the UAE pic.twitter.com/siWyTKMPO2

— ERA (@RacingEra) March 5, 2020

The Saturday card includes the Jebel Hatta Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), in which eight of the 13 runners are trained in Britain or Ireland, including 2017 St. James's Palace Stakes (G1) scorer Barney Roy.

The Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) has attracted eight runners, including the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Desert Fire. Investec Coronation Cup (G1) winner Defoe, Desert Encounter, and Pablo Escobarr are among the British-trained runners in the Dubai City Of Gold Stakes Sponsored by Emirates SkyCargo (G2).

Also, the Korea Racing Authority called off racing there Feb. 23 through March 22 because of the coronavirus, according to the KRA's Alastair Middleton. He noted that because there is no off-track wagering, racing without opening to fans is not an option.The situation will be reviewed after the March 22 date. Public buildings like schools and libraries are scheduled to reopen March 23.

Trackwork and official trials have continued as normal.