Dubai Twelve months after being narrowly denied victory in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint, UAE-trained Ertijaal seeks justice to right the wrong when he contests this year’s renewal of the race, which has reverted to his original distance of 1,200 metres.
Ridden by Paul Hanagan in the colours of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, the son of Oasis Dream led Buffering approaching the final 200 metres, before he was caught out for speed by the Australian speedball.
Trained by Ali Rashid Al Rahie, who had expressed his disappointment at the result, Ertijaal looks the one to beat this time around having easily won both his starts this year.
Both of those victories have come of 1000 metres but his rider, the Shaikh Hamdan-retained Jim Crowley, is not worried about Saturday’s extra furlong.
“He has won over 1400m, both in England and Abu Dhabi,” said Crowley. “He was still galloping strongly at the line on his latest 1000m victory and I do not see the extra 200m being any problem, but it is a stronger race.”
No doubt about that. The field includes the Henry Candy-trained Limato, winner of the Darley July Cup (G1) at Newmarket last year and the Prix de la Foret (G1), on Arc day at Chantilly in October.
Harry Bentley, who was on board on both occasions, said he was looking forward to being reunited with Limato,
“I saw him work early in the week and again today when he has cantered and he will breeze tomorrow,” said the jockey. “That will be his last bit before he runs on Saturday. I think the track is going to suit him great on the big night and the race should suit him with plenty of pace on.
“He hasn’t had a race since last October so has had a bit of time off but he seems in good spirits and his trainer Henry Candy is pleased with him.”
Meanwhile, Godolphin’s Jungle Cat and Baccarat face each other for a third time this year.
Their trainer Charlie Appleby commented: “Jungle Cat came on for his first run out here in Dubai and put up a very good performance to finish second to Ertijaal over five furlongs in the Meydan Sprint.
“He appreciated the step back up to six furlongs last time and goes into this race in very good order.
“We have Ertijaal to beat again, but I feel more confident taking him on over this distance.
“Baccarat beat Jungle Cat on his first outing this year and met a bit of traffic in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint.
“He was doing his best work at the end and I think a strongly-run six furlongs is going to suit him. He is a player for the placings.”
Hong Kong boast a strong bevy of top class sprinters and are represented in the race by Amazing Kids who is trainer John Size’s first ever runner at Meydan.
“I only arrived yesterday so I don’t have much to report. He seems okay to me. Seems like everything is normal.”
A high-class performer who was fourth the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on his final outing last year Amazing Kids relishes a strong pace to aim at.
Ireland’s Washington DC has shown considerable progress last season when contesting races like the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and looks a big danger as does the 11-year-old veteran Medicean Man, the second oldest horse in action at Meydan on Saturday
“We’ve learnt over time that he thrives on being slightly under-done than over-done,” said his trainer Jeremy Gask.
The field is completed by The Right Man, Final Venture, Finsbury Square, Long On Value and Richard’s Boy.
