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Joy And Fun the One to Beat

DUBAI - The first of seven Thoroughbred races on the card, the Group 3 Al Quoz Sprint, over the straight 1200m turf course and sponsored by Emirates NBD, has attracted the maximum field of 16. Added to the Dubai World Cup card this year, it offers a $1million purse and it looks wide open.

Godolphin’s Sirocco Breeze impressed many when winning on the Meydan Masters card and he is the choice of Frankie Dettori who said: “He won nicely last time and has been going well since. He should not mind the switch to turf and I am hoping for a big run.”

Group 1 winners stand in his way though with Australian All Silent looking a big threat for trainer Graeme Begg with Corey Brown in the saddle. Begg said: “He galloped on Wednesday and hopefully that will have put him spot on for Saturday.”

However, he was only eighth in Hong Kong last December behind Sacred Kingdom when Joy and Fun was third. He renews rivalry with Brett Doyle, who gets on so well with him and said: “He tends to get behind in his races and finish fast so hopefully the straight track will suit him.”

Fifth in the same Hong Kong race was California Flag. South African Champion Sprinter Our Giant is a fascinating recruit for Mike de Kock who won it last year, at the end of the 2009 Dubai International Racing Carnival, with JJ The Jet Plane. He was ridden by Kevin Shea who partners Our Giant and said: “He has been working nicely coming into the race and we have to be hopeful of a good run. He stays further so will hopefully be running strongly all the way to the line.”

Richard Hills partners Finjaan for trainer Marcus Tregoning who said: “The horse seems to have settled in well and showed last year he retains all his ability. It is a competitive race but you would expect that with such generous prize money.”

Al Shindagha Sprint winner War Artist, trained by James Eustace, was well beaten on Super Thursday but should relish the return to turf. Third in the Prix de l’Abbaye last year, he is a proven Group 1 performer and his jockey Olivier Peslier said: “He ran very well Arc day last year and was impressive first time in Dubai. He is far better than his last run and I am hopeful.” The 1200m turf track has only been used once previously, when Kieren Fallon drove the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained Judd Street to a hard fought victory over Star Crowned.

The latter, trained by Rashed Bouresly and the mount of Royston Ffrench will make a bold bid for revenge according to his jockey: “The horse is so versatile and very tough. It was a good run last time and he has form in Group 1 company on [Dubai] World Cup night so we know he does not lack quality.” Dohasa was third in that same race, while French challenger Mariol has to be respected as does previous 2010 Carnival winner Sir Gerry from the UK.