MUSABAH Al Muhairi will never forget the 2016 Super Saturday meeting at Meydan. He produced Special Fighter to record a shock victory in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3, the official Dubai World Cup prep, which was part of a treble on the card.

Run on the same course and distance as the $10 million Dubai World Cup, the Al Maktoum Challenge has been won in the past by three subsequent Dubai World Cup winners, Dubai Millennium, Street Cry and Electrocutionist. Special Fighter is probably not in this class however.

Not only did he dominate the race, but Special Fighter won in a new course record time under Fernando Jara, who rode Invasor to victory in the 2007 Dubai World Cup. “He was absolutely spot on today,” said Jara. “I really did not expect to get such an easy lead and that was a real bonus. We have said all season we are not sure just how good he might be and tonight he was very good indeed.

“Obviously he has been beaten by Frosted, and California Chrome is very good, so the Dubai World Cup will be a much harder race but we will just enjoy this occasion and look forward to that one.”

The American challenger Keen Ice never got in a blow and finished a well-beaten seventh.

Another record time for six furlongs on dirt was established in the Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal, with the Al Muhairi-trained Muarrab lowering the previous mark which was set by Secret Circle last year in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen. Winner of the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint a year earlier, Muarrab was soon in front under Paul Hanagan and won by more than five lengths.

Stalked by Rich Tapestry and Gerald Mosse, whom he had chased home in the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint over the course and distance recently, Hanagan was clearly determined to utilise their plum draw. “Last time he tried to anticipate the start and hit the gates, and so was slowly away,” explained Hanagan. “He has broken well today and we had the draw in one, so he could use his high cruising speed to get to the front. He does not have to make the running but has the natural speed to do so.”

Winning owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, jockey and trainer completed a sprint double with Fityaan in the Group 3 Meydan Sprint over five furlongs on turf. Sole Power ran creditably to finish third, beaten a nose and a short head.

The second Group 1 of the afternoon was on turf, the nine-furlong Jebel Hatta, and it was won in style by Godolphin’s Irish-bred Shamardal colt Tryster, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick. The five-year-old gelding won six times on all-weather surfaces in England last year, including the Winter Derby and Easter Classic, and his two previous wins at Meydan this year included the Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes.

Buick adopted the horse’s trademark tactics, sitting at the back of the field, and when they hit the front with more than a furlong to go the race was all over. It was a first Group 1 winner in the UAE for Appleby. “This is a big team effort,” said the winning trainer. “The staff in England did a great job with him last year and those here have continued the good work.

“It is well documented that the Dubai World Cup was the original plan but it was clear, in his work, he could not unleash his acceleration on that surface. He has now shown twice that he certainly can on turf. Obviously the Dubai Turf will be an even stronger race but, hopefully, they will go a better gallop as it should suit him better.”

The Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold over the same turf trip as the Dubai Sheema Classic saw the Roger Varian-trained Postponed advertise his claims for that $6 million contest. Winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes last year when trained by Luca Cumani, this was his first start for Varian.

“That was very pleasing and it is always to a relief to win with such a nice horse,” said Varian. “We had done plenty of work with him at home and the team here with him have done a great job. Remember, he was a very good horse when he joined us and we have enjoyed a smooth winter with him.”

The meeting opened with the four-runner Listed Al Bastakiya and Market Rally, winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas on his previous start, ran out the easy winner for the in-form Dhruba Selvaratnam. Market Rally will try to emulate Asiatic Boy, the only previous winner of the UAE Triple Crown, in the UAE Derby. Pat Smullen was in the saddle on the son of Unbridled’s Song. “He is still learning about racing,” said Smullen. “He must have a genuine chance in the UAE Derby.”

Doug Watson and stable jockey Pat Dobbs won the Group 3 Burj Nahaar with Godolphin Mile hopeful Cool Cowboy. The race only attracted three runners.