Lazuli exacts revenge on Man Of Promise in Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash

Lazuli secured another notable prize over Meydan’s five-furlong turf course as he edged out Man Of Promise in the Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash on Friday, 6 January.

Man Of Promise had previously come out on top when the duo met over six furlongs in last year’s Listed Dubai Sprint, with Lazuli going on to prevail over his favoured minimum trip in the G2 Blue Point Sprint.

Both Charlie Appleby-trained sprinters raced in midfield towards the stands’ rail as Ponntos and Khaadem showed good early speed down the centre of the course.

Man Of Promise took closer order passing the two-furlong marker and was tracked through by Lazuli. The Godolphin pair pressed Ponntos and Acklam Express for the lead, with all four horses looking to hold every chance approaching the final half-furlong.

Lazuli established a narrow advantage under James Doyle soon after and the Dubawi six-year-old asserted in the closing strides to prevail by a length and a quarter, with Man Of Promise holding on to second by a short-head.

Charlie Appleby said: “Lazuli is more natural over five furlongs here. I thought Man Of Promise looked very well in the paddock and would improve on whatever he did tonight, particularly back over six furlongs. They are two nice horses to have in this division and both ran solid races tonight.

“I think we will try and split them up now as Man Of Promise is better off fresh and not a horse that you can back up. They are old timers out here now and know the script.”

James Doyle said: “We were pretty hopeful with Lazuli. This is the right distance for him, although with the stalls being on the far side, I was not quite sure where we would end up. Thankfully, I was able to get on the back of William and I knew he would take us as far as we needed.

“Stood in the gates, I was thinking that it is a long way over to get on the rail, so I was little unsure how it would unfold. The beauty of riding for Charlie is that he leaves it up to you and that allows you to work it out as you go along.

“Lazuli hits the line really strongly over five furlongs. He is a strong-travelling horse and I feel you have one short burst that only sustains for so long. He runs pretty well over six furlongs but does not find the line as strongly.”