Godolphin’s Al Quoz Sprint squad led by Blue Point

Blue Point, Jungle Cat and Baccarat make up a potent Charlie Appleby-trained Godolphin challenge for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, the six-furlong turf feature on Dubai World Cup Night at Meydan, UAE, on Saturday, 31 March.

Four-year-old Shamardal colt Blue Point (William Buick) created an excellent impression on his UAE debut in the G2 Meydan Sprint over five furlongs on 22 February, when he ran on strongly to go down by a head to Ertijaal. 

Blue Point broke the course record for six furlongs at Ascot when beating champion sprinter Harry Angel in the G3 Pavilion Stakes in May and was third over the same course and distance in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting the following month.

He found the heavy ground against him when fourth in the G1 Haydock Park Sprint Cup in September, but bounced back to form when making all in the G3 Bengough Stakes at Ascot in October.

Jungle Cat (James Doyle), a six-year-old son of Iffraaj, is unbeaten in two appearances at Meydan this year, having followed up victory in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort over seven furlongs with a storming success in the six-furlong Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint on Super Saturday, 10 March. 

Baccarat (Mickael Barzalona) finished fourth to Jungle Cat after breaking slowly in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint and the nine-year-old had previously gained a facile three-length handicap win over the same course and distance on 17 February. 

Charlie Appleby said: “Blue Point has really grown into himself and looks a real sprinter now as he is both stronger and quicker.. 

“He put up a great performance over five furlongs last time, when he was doing his best work late on, and the return to six furlongs at a flat course like Meydan should play to his strengths.

“He has come on for his seasonal return and looks to have a very strong chance.

“Jungle Cat started off the season over seven furlongs, winning the Al Fahidi Fort, but was impressive over six in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint. He was fourth in this race last year and returns in top form. 

“Baccarat, a stalwart at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, has won out in Dubai in each of the past three seasons. He is nine now, but his handicap victory in February showed that he is still as good as ever and he has earned another crack at a big race like this.”

Blue Point (drawn 13), Jungle Cat (10) and Baccarat (eight) take on 11 rivals including Librisa Breeze, a G1 winner at Ascot in October, recent Santa Anita G3 scorer Conquest Tsunami and Australian G1 victor Music Magnate.