Trainer Appleby pins hopes on Space Blues for Al Quoz Sprint

Carrying a rating of 120, Godolphin’s Space Blues is the class of the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) and leads an imposing octet on the Dubai World Cup card for trainer Charlie Appleby.

Exiting a pleasing victory in the second running of The Saudi Cup’s 1351 Turf Sprint, he seeks his second consecutive $1 million race in the region and appears squarely the one to beat, despite his lone Meydan effort resulting in a seventh of 16 in the 2020 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (G3) over this turf course and 1200m distance.  The compact chestnut has reeled off five consecutive wins since, including his first G1 in Deauville’s Prix Maurice de Gheest last August.

“That was one of his disappointing starts and was his first start at Meydan last year, but to be honest, you can put a line through that,” Appleby explained.

“He was fresh and probably slightly under-trained going into it because we were potentially using that as a prep, but it was obviously too bad a run to contemplate going on to the Al Quoz last year.

“This year, he’s a different horse,” he continued. “He’s stronger and got a bit quicker. As we’ve seen in has last few starts, he travels for fun.”

Believed by his connections to be Group 1 level-effective up to one mile, he has raced often over his sweet spot of seven furlongs in half his 16 starts. Saturday’s drop back to a straight six furlongs appears remains a question for the talented charge, but Appleby is confident in such.

“Dropping back to the straight six doesn’t worry me,” Appleby said. “I think there’ll be plenty of pace on. As respects to the ground, I agree that we thought he would be more comfortable with ease in the ground, but when he won at Deauville, it was like a road and it was quick enough ground in Saudi in his last start.

“Pace-wise, he could be potentially vulnerable with some proper speedballs, but for me, he’s got stronger, quicker and is the big favourite for the night. I’m looking forward to seeing him get another Group 1 tag under his belt.”

If he is not up to par on the day, Appleby has reserves declared in G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis winner Royal Crusade (Mickael Barzalona) and Listed Dubai Sprint winner Man of Promise (Richard Mullen). William Buick will be aboard Space Blues.

In addition to Appleby’s Al Quoz sprinters, he has strong chances to win in the UAE Derby (G2) with UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) winner Rebel’s Romance, Dubai Gold Cup (G2) with Secret Advisor and Dubai Turf (G1) with Al Suhail.

Secret Advisor returns to a turf course he relishes and is fresh off a strong third in The Saudi Cup’s $2.5 million Red Sea Turf Handicap over 3000m. Two-for-two at Meydan, he won the Meydan Cup (Listed) and Nad Al Sheba Trophy (G3) over 2800m. The Dubai Gold Cup is over 3200m (two miles) and appears within his wheelhouse.

“It’s going to be an exciting night’s racing,” Appleby said. “Secret Advisor is in good order. If he reproduces that run from Saudi, he’s going to be very competitive and he is a potential international favourite for the Gold Cup at the moment. Another live contender, there.”

Al Suhail has long been considered a break-out star waiting to happen, but failed to shine when bested by Group 1 warrior Lord Glitters in Super Saturday’s Jebel Hatta (G1) last out. Hope remains, especially in the market, as the G3-placed Listed winner is currently third choice behind Lord North and Lord Glitters.

“He’s definitely come forward for the run,” Appleby explained. “I was delighted with that. It was very much a prep run into the Dubai Turf. People question mark the nine over the eight furlongs, but all it was is that he got tired there and the petrol ran out in the last 100 yards.”