Seven black type races will be contested at Meydan on Dubai’s Super Saturday March 5, a raceday which provides valuable guides to Dubai World Cup Day at the end of March as well as fantastic racing in its own right.

It’s an excellent Dubai card with great opportunities, and here are some spot plays to consider.

Race 2: Dubai City of Gold (G2)

Turf, 2,410 meters (about 1 1/2 miles)

A prep race for the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), over the same distance on World Cup day. This field may not produce many genuine contenders for that race, but it looks to be a great option for Shadwell’s #7 Hukum. The five-year-old has won seven of his 12 starts and won three times at Group 3 level last year. If he is near his peak he will be hard to topple here.

• $20 win/$40 show: #7 Hukum

Race 3: Burj Nahar (G3)

Dirt, 1,600 meters (about one mile)

Several horses will be using this as a prep for the Godolphin Mile (G2) on World Cup day, not the least of which is last year’s Godolphin Mile runner-up #7 Golden Goal, who last month beat 2021 Godolphin Mile winner Secret Ambition in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (G2). Doug O’Neill is also targeting the race with #12 Strongconstitution, who doesn’t often win but who ran very well for second in the Firebreak S. (G3) Feb. 4.

• $10 win/$30 show: #7 Golden Goal
• $10 exacta: 7 with 12

Race 4: Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (G3)

Turf, 1,200 meters (about six furlongs)

An outstanding field of sprinters contest this lead-up to the Al Quoz Sprint (G1), including European Group 1 winners #4 Emaraaty Ana and #1 A Case Of You. They look the best pair, but with a prep run and youth on his side, it might be A Case Of You that is the best bet. Watch out also for the fast-improving #9 Man of Promise.

• $10 win/$30 show: #1 A Case Of You
• $1 box exacta: 1, 4, 9
• $1 box trifecta: 1, 4, 9

Race 6: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (G1)

Dirt, 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles)

In a probable lead-up to the Dubai World Cup (G1), last year’s World Cup fourth-place finisher #7 Hypothetical looks a great prospect after a Grade 3 success here Feb. 4. The other intriguing runner is former Preakness S. (G1) runner-up #4 Everfast, who put in his best effort in some time when a distant third to Hot Rod Charlie in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (G2).

• $10 win/$30 show: #7 Hypothetical
• $1 box exacta: 4, 7
• $20 show: #4 Everfast

Race 8: Jebel Hatta (G1)

Turf, 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles)

Evergreen #10 Lord Glitters was back to form when winning the Singspiel S. (G2) Feb. 11, and he should go close again here. His biggest danger is probably his old rival #2 Barney Roy, who hasn’t raced since being narrowly beaten by Lord Glitters in the Bahrain International Trophy (G3) Nov. 21. With a little freshness on his side and the ace draw, Barney Roy may get his revenge.

• $10 win/$30 show: #2 Barney Roy

Race 9: Mahab Al Shimaal (G3)

Dirt, 1,200 meters (about six furlongs)

A useful lead-up to the Golden Shaheen (G1) on World Cup Day. The race looks to be between #1 Al Tariq and #2 Canvassed, third and second, respectively, in the Al Shindingaha Sprint (G3) Jan. 21. Canvassed received two pounds that day and at level weights the tables may be turned.

• $10 win/$30 show: #1 Al Tariq

BONUS PLAY – SOUTH AFRICA

Turffontein hosts the second leg of the South African Triple Crown Feb. 5, the 1,800-meter (about 1 1/8-mile) South African Classic (G1).

Aiming to keep the Triple Crown alive is Gauteng Guineas (G2) winner #1 Safe Passage, who won that 1,600-meter (about one mile) test comfortably. He will be hard to beat, but his stablemate #4 Aragosta, unbeaten at two races over this distance, could challenge him, and they are worth anchoring in exotics. Gauteng Guineas runner-up #2 Pyromaniac should also be included.

• $10 win/$40 show: #4 Aragosta
• $1 trifecta: 1, 4 with 1, 2, 4 with all