Barney Roy Steals Show on 'Super Saturday' at Meydan

Barney Roy stole the show March 7 at Meydan with an impressive win in the Jebel Hatta Sponsored By Emirates Airline (G1) as the track's "Super Saturday" card played out without spectators due to coronavirus concerns.

The card, essentially a dress rehearsal for Dubai World Cup Day in three weeks' time, largely proved a Godolphin benefit as Barney Roy led home a Jebel Hatta first four for the owner.

Settled well off the pace by William Buick, the 6-year-old son of Excelebration who returned to training last year after an aborted spell at stud made his move wide in the straight, sweeping past James Doyle on stablemate Spotify, who lost second in the final furlong to Magic Lily.

All three are trained by Charlie Appleby. They were followed home in fourth by Saeed bin Suroor-trained Dream Castle, who won this race last year.

It was Barney Roy's first group 1 for Appleby and the second of his career, adding to the top-level victory he had when trained by Richard Hannon in the 2017 St James's Palace Stakes (G1).

Buick said: "I'm very happy with him. We had a very tricky draw in (gate) 12, and I had to ride him the way I did. There were a lot of horses in the race with very little chance, but we still had to pass them all.

"He traveled very strongly into the race. I brought him out into the straight, and he picked them up easily. He has a nice cruising speed, which is helped by his big stride, but also he loves a flat track like Meydan, where he can use that stride.

"It's a testament to the horse and the team at home, who have done a great job with him ever since he stepped into the yard."

The official feature was the Al Maktoum Challenge R3 Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) on the same 1 1/4-mile course as the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), which will surely be the target for Matterhorn.

The 5-year-old son of Raven's Pass, now with Salem bin Ghadayer but formerly trained by Mark Johnston, was never headed under Mickael Barzalona on his way to a dominant 5 1/2-length win.

Bin Ghadayer said: "As soon as I saw this horse work, I said to Mickael, 'This is my Dubai World Cup horse,' and he is a natural on the dirt. That was very good from both horse and jockey."

The Dubai City of Gold Sponsored By Emirates Skycargo (G2), which is run over the same 1 1/2-mile distance as the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), also went to Appleby and Godolphin, although this time it was Barzalona in the saddle on Loxley.

The 16-1 shot was keen in the early stages but made smooth progress to lead entering the final furlong and held off the challenge of favorite Defoe.

Appleby said: "Loxley is a horse we have always really liked, but he has disappointed in both starts at the carnival, so it is great to see him get his head back in front with such a nice performance."

Britain's champion jockey, Oisin Murphy, was successful in the first race on Super Saturday, winning the listed Al Bastakiya Stakes Sponsored by Emirates.com on Emblem Storm. The 3-year-old Kentucky-bred became the 50th stakes winner for sire English Channel , who stands in Kentucky at Calumet Farm.

Emblem Storm's trainer, Satish Seemar, is almost certain to be crowned UAE champion trainer this season. He doubled up with Wafy, ridden by Tadhg O'Shea, in the Mahab Al Shimaal Sponsored by Emirates Skywards (G3).