The Scot opted not to undergo surgery after suffering an injury and will now play the May 18-25 tournament in Switzerland
sports1 day ago
Like the 100 meters dash in the Olympics, the Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Azizi Developments, generates massive excitement given a full field and the shortest distance of the night – 1,200 meters.
With 15 high-quality sprinters in view – Bhupat Seemar’s Logo Hunter was a late withdrawal – all eyes will be on an expected fight between Al Suhail and Al Dasim.
Godolphin’s six-year-old Al Suhail, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, is coming off back-to-back wins in Meydan, and will be a strong contender. The son of Dubawi has got six wins, and seven place finish in his 19 career starts, and comes into the Dubai World Cup night in fine form.
In Ras Al Khor over seven furlongs on Super Saturday night, he quietly tracked the leaders before bursting ahead over the last 300 meters and winning by an impressive margin of four lengths over Sam Donato.
In the first week of January, in Al Fahidi Fort race over the same distance, he had performed in almost similar fashion and took the lead over the last 100 meters and won by four lengths again.
Appleby was pleased with what he has seen so far with Al Suhail.
“As we have known with the sprinters, the older they get, the stronger they get. The most important thing with him is getting him into a good racing mind and that's where he is on the back of two nice wins here. He’s in great shape and he thinks he’s King Kong,” said Appleby.
In his final prep outing on Friday, Al Dasim continued to please trainer George Boughey.
The Kuwaiti horse has won his last five starts, which includes three in Meydan at similar distance as Al Quoz Sprint. All three Meydan wins were by two-and-a-quarter lengths and more.
Boughey said trackside after his Friday spin: “It was nice to get a good draw last night (eighth) with the pace seemingly on the right side, so he’s in great shape.
“He’s a very straightforward horse to train. Ryan King, who has ridden him all winter, couldn’t be happier with him and it makes my job very easy when you’ve got a sound horse who likes the straight six at Meydan really.”
Flaming Rib took an almost five-month after a disappointing eighth place at Ascot in a Gr3 race, but came out in good shape when he won the Dukhan Sprint over six furlongs in Doha last month.
Trainer Hugo Palmer said: “We’re really happy with him. This is only his second international trip, but he seems to thrive on the flights. He returned home to Manor House from Qatar and he was heavier than he was when he left 10 days earlier! He just really seems to do well and he’s come off the plane great out here as well.
“We're really pleased with the draw (Stall 12). His Group 1 form from England last year puts him right there with a chance and his draw gives him a chance.”
Al Quoz Sprint
Turf: 1,200 metres
Purse $1,500,000
KT PICKS
Al Suhail
Al Dasim is in fine form as well, but Charlie Appleby and William Buick is a formidable combination in Meydan and might just edge it for Al Suhail.
Dark Horse
Flaming Rib
The 4yo son of Ribchester is showing the form of 2021 when he won five races in the UK with his clinical performance in Doha recently.
Quotes
Charlie Appleby/Al Suhail
“The most important thing with him is getting him into a good racing mind and that's where he is on the back of two nice wins”
George Boughey/Al Dasim
“He’s a very straightforward horse to train. Ryan King, who has ridden him all winter, couldn’t be happier with him”
The Scot opted not to undergo surgery after suffering an injury and will now play the May 18-25 tournament in Switzerland
sports1 day ago
Sad end to an era as the French star's final European act goes against the script as the German underdogs fashion out victory
sports1 day ago
'My kids' hero is Ronaldo' now I hope it's me' said the 2024 World Snooker Champion after his opponent Jones lost the first seven frames of the best of 35 frames contest
sports1 day ago
The units are equipped to transform residences into golfing sanctuaries while eradicating the limitations of weather, seasonality and tee times
sports2 days ago
When the Paris opening ceremony begins on July 26, it will be the first time the city has played host for a century after previous editions in 1924 and 1900
sports2 days ago
This decision to invite players outside of the top 100 has precedents which is an interesting initiative to watch
sports2 days ago
Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Al-Qahtani meets Morocco's Taha Bendaoud in the main event
sports2 days ago
The NBA Abu Dhabi Games will feature 17-time champions Boston Celtics and defending champions Denver Nuggets in October
sports2 days ago