Ortensia has the will to fly the flag high

Dubai: It is seven years ago since the Australian flag was carried to victory by Elvstroem in the Dubai Duty Free. The drought could be ended when Ortensia tackles the Al Quoz Sprint.

A high-class mare throughout her career she has risen successfully to the elite level since her training has been taken over by Paul Messara — the son of Arrowfield studs supremo John Messara — scoring a convincing win over the Flemington Spring Carnival at her debut for the new stable. She then travelled across the continent to win the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes [1200m] at Ascot.

She hasn't raced since but has looked to be in great shape working at Meydan during the week. It is also worth remembering she was responsible for a series of outstanding performances while prepared by Tony Noonan. Among these was a fast-finishing fifth in the Hong Kong Sprint behind J J The Jet Plane who went on to win this race last year.

The ever increasing prominence of Australian bred in the world of sprinting is that three others — Better Be The One and War Artist — also were foaled down under.

Eagle Regiment is building a solid reputation in Hong Kong where he has put together six wins and three placings in 11 starts.

Joy And Fun won this event two years ago and even though he is now eight he showed he has overcome his problems with a courageous second in the Hong Kong International Sprint.

A Group 1 winner in France War Artist ran fourth to Joy And Fun before going on to record a second to J J The Jet Plane last year. Now with Mike De Kock the veteran worked home stylishly when seventh on Super Saturday.

Sole Power who is a winner of the prestigious Nunthorpe Stakes also caught the eye in the Meydan Sprint three weeks ago while Group 1 winners Margot Did and Regally Ready have claims if they can recapture their best form.