Ertijaal Gets Test Run
A course and distance prep is in the works for Super Saturday in the form of the $200,000 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint and local hero
Ertijaal surprisingly showed up in the entries with intention to run. A gritty winner over possible Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by Azizi Developments (G1) favourite
Blue Point just two weeks ago, he will not have an easy go of it when he takes on the likes of
Baccarat, D’Bai and
Jungle Cat – a fierce triumvirate from Blue Point’s team of Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.
“We wanted to give him a chance over the 1200m, so he is going to run,” said Gilani Siddiqui, assistant trainer to Ali Rashid Al Rayhi. “He’s training well. We will have another three weeks to the Al Quoz after that.”
Meanwhile, Ballydoyle is still figuring out its plans for Al Quoz Sprint runners, but one would imagine that strong possibilities will be
Washington DC or perhaps sophomore Declarationofpeace – two proven shippers who flashed solid form when going from Ireland to California last November. The former ran credibly in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) and the latter won on the undercard – both races over 1000m.
Speaking of America, Gary Barber’s Conquest Tsunami is on the bubble after running a huge race to defeat Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner
Stormy Liberal decisively over the about-1300m down the Santa Anita turf hill in the Daytona (G3). Whether he runs for trainer Peter Miller or Mark Casse is uncertain, as he has swapped between their barns in the past. Either way, each trainer has an additional horse pointing toward the event – Richard’s Boy for Miller and Holding Gold for Casse. Miller-trained Stormy Liberal, at this point, appears a soft maybe, while his stablemate Richard’s Boy (a solid fifth last year after a slow start) worked well this week toward his possible return date in Dubai.
The Europeans at this point appear quite strong. Group 1 winners Brando and Librisa Breeze are considered possibilities, while
Rosa Imperial is expected to start for Godolphin and Andre Fabre.
Current Al Quoz Sprint Possibles (not necessarily invitees): Ertijaal, Baccarat, Faatinah, Richard’s Boy, Music Magnate, Librisa Breeze, D’Bai, Declarationofpeace, Washington DC, Stormy Liberal, Jungle Cat, Hit the Bid, Steady Pace, Holding Gold, Brando, Supido, Illustrious Lad
Unedited Press Release: Dubai Racing Club