Sprinters set for Super Saturday
Jungle Cat, Baccarat and Comicas are out to continue their good starts to the year for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby in the feature sprints on Super Saturday, March 4, at Meydan, UAE.
Jungle Cat (William Buick, drawn six) goes for the six-furlong Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint Sponsored By Arabian Adventures (18.20hrs) after finishing second on his two starts so far this year, including when chasing home Ertijaal over five furlongs in the G3 Meydan Sprint on February 16.
He is joined by Baccarat (Colm O’Donoghue, drawn 16), who is unbeaten in two appearances at Meydan, having gained a neck success over Jungle Cat in a six-furlong turf handicap on January 26 and triumphed in another course and distance handicap at last year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival.
A maximum field of 16 for the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint Sponsored By Arabian Adventures also features French G3 winner The Right Man and Final Venture, a dual course and distance scorer this season.
Charlie Appleby commented: “Jungle Cat has been knocking on the door for a while now. He was beaten fair and square by a very good horse in Ertijaal in the Meydan Sprint and the return to six furlongs will play to his strengths. He looks like the one the rest have to beat.
“Baccarat beat Jungle Cat earlier this winter but we felt beforehand that Jungle Cat would come on for that run, whereas Baccarat was sharper on that occasion.
“Having said that, Baccarat came out of that race particularly well and is unbeaten at Meydan, so he could be a serious player as well.”
Comicas (William Buick, drawn eight) goes for a second straight win on dirt over six furlongs in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal Sponsored By Skywards (16.35hrs local time) after making virtually all to score by a length over Dundonnell in a handicap on February 11.
His nine rivals include the 2013 G1 Golden Shaheen winner Reynaldothewizard, Dundonnell and G3 Al Shindagha Sprint victor Cool Cowboy.
Charlie Appleby added: “Comicas won well on his latest start, when he was suited by the return to six furlongs.
“He has a bit more on his plate this time around, but we felt that we might as well roll the dice and see how he gets on.”
The trainer is also doubly represented in the 12-runner Listed Al Bastakiya Sponsored By Emirates Skywards (16.00hrs) with Capezzano and Somerset House running in the extended nine-furlong dirt contest.
Capezzano (William Buick, drawn 11) was third to Thunder Snow in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas over a mile on February 11, while Somerset House (Colm O’Donoghue, drawn six) steps up in class and distance after making a winning debut in a mile maiden on December 29.
Charlie Appleby continued: “Capezzano’s third in the UAE 2000 Guineas was a pleasing run - we went out to give Thunder Snow a race and it cost us second place. I am looking forward to stepping him up in trip and he should go well.
“Somerset House is a lazy worker at home but he beat older horses on his only start and all evidence suggests that a step up in distance will suit. This is a bit of a step into the unknown but he surprised us on his debut and deserves a crack at this.”
