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Man Of Promise dominates again in G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint

Racenews

Man Of Promise continued his sensational start to 2022 as he routed a top-quality field in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint Sponsored By Emirates SkyCargo at Meydan, UAE, on Super Saturday, 5 March.

The Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old, who readily beat subsequent G2 winner Lazuli over the same six furlongs in the Listed Dubai Sprint in January, was quickly into his stride and immediately tracked Jash down the stands’ rail.

Man Of Promise cruised up on the bridle to take the overall advantage approaching the final quarter-mile and streaked clear of his rivals when asked to win his race by William Buick over a furlong from home.

Last season’s G1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner A Case Of You gave chase inside the final furlong but could not get near Man Of Promise, who was eased close home to score by four and three-quarter lengths.

Charlie Appleby said: “That was one of those comfortable races to watch. We had the draw in stall 15 and I was confident the team had a done a fantastic job with Man Of Promise – I have never seen him look so well.

“He is a year older and I am a big believer that these sprinters take their time to mature. Even walking through the tunnel, I said to Sophie [Chretien, assistant trainer] that he has never looked so well. He has a sprinter’s backend on him now, for a little horse because he is not the most robust horse in the world, but he has done very well of late.

“It was a good performance and William said that if he can produce the same in three weeks’ time, we could be dealing with a potential Al Quoz Sprint winner. We thought a lot of him as a two-year-old to be fair but unfortunately he met with some setbacks.

“The Al Quoz is going to be a great race and some of the other horses are going to come forward. We already had a run out here and had home advantage today whereas Emaraaty Ana and the likes will be here until World Cup Night now. They will come forward and I am sure it will be a different race on Al Quoz night, it always is.”

William Buick said: “That really was impressive and, however good Man Of Promise looked, he felt every bit as good. I thought he was very good that last day but he did the same last year and then disappointed. He is more mature now and is a proper six-furlong horse with a lot of speed.

“We have seen glimmers from him stepping into this grade but he had actually never done it. Today he has proved that he is the real deal and, with a performance like that, he has to be taken seriously in the Al Quoz Sprint.

“It was a strong field behind me. I was on the stands’ side and knew I was up there going easily but there was going to be a couple of closers in the race. He quickened up really well and was impressive.”