Views from connections for Saturday's big races

Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (Meydan 4.45)

Bob Baffert believes the key attribute Arrogate has over his Dubai World Cup rivals is how much ground he covers with his stride.

The Khalid Abdullah-owned four-year-old has not even been racing for a full year, yet has already won the Travers Stakes, the Breeders' Cup Classic and the inaugural Pegasus World Cup.

Baffert, who has trained such American greats as Triple Crown hero American Pharoah and previous winners of this race Captain Steve and Silver Charm, believes he has never had a horse with such a raking stride as Arrogate.

Top Quote: Bob Baffert on Arrogate: "When they expect you to win it's tough, it's added pressure - you are the target. Sometimes it's more fun to win when you sneak up, like we did against California Chrome in the Breeders' Cup. You're just relieved when they win, that everything went well. He's the best horse in the world so people are going to come and expect a big effort. But I'd rather come in here with a heavy favourite than a horse who is 20/1. I just don't want to let the horse down." 

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Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (Meydan 3.30)

Decorated Knight is part of a formidable British assault on the nine-furlong contest, in which Richard Fahey's Ribchester sets the standard.

The Godolphin-owned colt mixed it with the best as a three-year-old last term, with his top-level victory in the Prix Jacques le Marois sandwiched between tremendous placed efforts in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and the QEII at Ascot.

Top Quote: Alain de Royer-Dupre on Zarak: "He is in good form and ready for the race. He won his prep race well here - very well, in fact. He has grown quite a bit since last year and while the race is tough, with some serious horses like last year's Prix Jacques Le Marois winner Ribchester in it, I'm hopeful he will run well."

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Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors (Meydan 12.50)

Heartbreak City seeks to add another feather to his globetrotting cap when he lines up for the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan.

Trained by Tony Martin, the versatile seven-year-old shot to prominence when winning the Galway Hurdle in July and raised his stock even higher in claiming the Ebor Handicap on the Flat the following month at York.

Heartbreak City did not run again until he got to within a head of recording a famous triumph in the Melbourne Cup in November, and his one start since came over hurdles at Leopardstown in January.

Martin and his enthusiastic group of owners have again secured the services of Joao Moreira, who rode the horse at Flemington and recently went into the history books when partnering eight winners on a single card at Sha Tin.

Top Quote: Tony Martin on Heartbreak City: "We arrived over here on Thursday and the horse seems in good form. He worked and we were very happy with him. Things have gone well since Leopardstown, so we're just keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for the best. Hopefully he'll give a good account of himself."

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Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Meydan 4.05)

Roger Varian is quietly confident Postponed will bounce back to his brilliant best for his defence of the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.

The six-year-old won the Dubai City of Gold and this Group One last March before claiming further riches on home soil in the Coronation Cup at Epsom and the Juddmonte International at York.

Postponed suffered his first reverse of the campaign when only fifth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and he was also beaten on his return from a break in the Dubai City of Gold three weeks ago.

But Varian feels his stable star is now back at the top of his game.

Top Quote: Ryan Moore on Highland Reel: "I saw my horse was available at 5/1 earlier in the week and, at his best, it would take a good one to beat him." 

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Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by Azizi Developments (Meydan 2.00)

Champion jockey Jim Crowley has hailed Ertijaal as "something else" ahead of his bid for glory in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan.

Once considered a Classic prospect when trained by William Haggas a few years ago, the son of Oasis Dream has really come into his own since being dropped in trip by Ali Al Rayhi.

Jeremy Gask's stable stalwart Medicean Man won at Meydan in January - his 13th career success - and Gask is set to retire the 11-year-old after the Al Quoz Sprint.

Top Quote: Jeremy Gask on Medicean Man: "He's taken us to all the best places and rarely let us down. It will be difficult to bring his career to an end because he just loves racing, but two things are certain - we will miss him, but he will always have a good home."

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A round-up of the pick of the rest of the action from Meydan

Trainer Hugo Palmer is optimistic Gifted Master will take to the dirt in the Godolphin Mile at Meydan on Saturday.

The four-year-old son of Kodiac has struck gold twice at Group Three level, but will be going into the unknown on World Cup night as he encounters this surface for the first time.

He warmed up for his big assignment with a creditable run on the turf in mid-February and has the assistance of blinkers and Ryan Moore on his back.

Top Quote: Saeed bin Suroor on Thunder Snow: "Thunder Snow has done well since winning the UAE 2000 Guineas. He worked nicely on Sunday and is ready to go again. This step up in distance will be something new for him, but everything is going well and I am hoping for another good result."

Click here for the preview of the Meydan undercard

EBF & TBA Mares' "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle Finale (Newbury 3.00)

A final field of mares has been declared with no fewer than nine last-time-out winners making for a seriously competitive contest.

Tara View tops the weights as she goes for a fifth straight success, while at the other end of the handicap Leicester scorer Sister Sibyl is a rare runner on the National Hunt scene for Hughie Morrison.

Top Quote: Charlie Longsdon on Snow Leopardess: "She needed the run last time out and I would like to think she'll strip a good bit fitter now. I think there's every reason to believe she'll go well."

Click here for the full preview of the EBF & TBA Mares' "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle Finale

OCSL Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Newbury 3.35)

Trainer Nick Williams looks to follow up his Cheltenham Festival success with Flying Tiger in the Fred Winter as he saddles top weight Night Of Sin under Lizzie Kelly in the valuable juvenile handicap.

He's on a hat-trick after wins at Bangor and Warwick and faces the equally progressive Don Bersy.

Neil Mulholland is responsible for Dusty Raven who wears a visor for the first time as he steps into the handicap ranks.

Top Quote: Tom Symonds on Don Bersy: ""I hope Saturday works out well as I think the handicapper has given him a real chance although the fact that he will only ever do what is required on the track rather than win by miles probably helps."

Click here for the full preview of the OCSL Juvenile Handicap Hurdle