JANOOBI (photo) is the second-highest rated horse in the Gr1 Jebel Hatta over 1800m on Super Saturday at Meydan this weekend, rated 115 to fellow South African-trained Whisky Baron’s  118.

Local racing fans will be hoping the ratings proves spot-on and so would Mike de Kock, who was thinking of racing Janoobi in the Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup day but decided against it.

Mike said after Janoobi’s win in the Zabeel Mile that he prefers the mile (three of his six career wins over 1600m), but commented: “I’m reluctant to race him on dirt, a bad race could hurt him. He is in really good form and his work is great. The big question mark is the trip and I think it’s a very competitive field.”

Al Sahem, the SA Derby winner over 2450m and a close runner-up in the Durban July over 2200m, is sure to enjoy 2410m in the Gr2 Dubai City Of Gold, but has three rivals rated higher than his 111.

“He’s improved in work but on ratings I’m not quite sure he is good enough. It’s a big test for him,” said Mike.

Noah From Goa will miss Super Saturday. He wasn’t sound after a gallop last weekend.