Saeed bin Suroor targets Dubai gold

Saeed bin Suroor is going all out to win the Dubai City Of Gold as he fields three runners in the Group Two heat at Meydan on Super Saturday.

James Doyle is on Sky Hunter, who last seen winning the St Simon Stakes at Newbury by nine lengths, William Buick rides one-time Derby fancy True Story while Dane O'Neill teams up with Songcraft.

"Sky Hunter is a horse who is working really nicely and James (Doyle) knows really well," Bin Suroor told At The Races.

"He is ready to go and we are looking to see a good run from him. A mile and a half should be perfect for him.

"Songcraft has always won when he is fresh, first time out. A mile and a half is his trip and he worked nicely in his last piece of work. He looked very good

"True Story is a tough horse, he tries very hard. He needed time and this year he looks better - physically and mentally.

"It looks a tough race, but we have three runners and we will see how we do."

In the third round of the Maktoum Challenge, Bin Suroor saddles African Story, who won the World Cup last year but was a well-beaten seventh on his return to action in the second round of this series.

"I was disappointed with African Story when he ran first time, normally he had run on Tapeta and that was on dirt," said Bin Suroor.

"He needed the race, physically he didn't look as good as now. He doesn't like the kickback and that's what happened last time.

"I hope the pace will be strong and he will be in a nice position. A mile and a quarter is the best trip for him."

Stablemate Prince Bishop won the second and third rounds last year but was well beaten in the World Cup. He was a long way in front of African Story last time out.

"Prince Bishop came from too far back last time, in another 50 yards he might have won," added the trainer.

"I would like to see both of them handy, in a nice position in the race and they have a chance to run well.

"Both of them have worked well and look fantastic."

Bin Suroor's fellow Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby unleashes the highly-regarded Sir Fever in the opening Al Bastakiya.

Unbeaten in 10 races in his native Uruguay, he could be anything.

"Sir Fever is unbeaten so far. The fact that he has won over a mile and a half means we know the trip is not a problem," said Appleby.

"He is a horse whose preparation we have been very happy with. Hopefully this will be the springboard to a fruitful season."

There are plenty of names familiar to British racegoers in the Group Three Meydan Sprint.

Tony Carroll's Caspian Prince has already won at the Carnival with Meydan regulars Lancelot Du Lac and Sir Maximilian lining up.

However, this race also sees the return to Dubai for Sole Power and a first start on Tapeta for both Moviesta and Extortionist.

Appleby runs Ahtoug and said: "He has been very consistent. It was good to see him win last time out but this is a very competitive race."

In the Jebel Hatta, David Simock's Trade Storm and Calling Out along with David Marnane's Elleval take on Mike De Kock's Vercingetorix