3 minute read
A big night of racing at the Meydan is highlighted by the clash of gun sprinters Ertijaal and Blue Point in the Group 2 Meydan Sprint.
Ertijaal broke the 1000m track record at the Meydan when winning this race last year in blistering fashion and his return in a handicap last month suggested that he was every bit as good in 2018.
Only one horse has ever beaten Ertijaal over the 1000m, the terrific Aussie sprinter Buffering, and he's set to be sent out a short-priced favourite to make it six from seven at the course and distance tonight.
His claims are obvious but it should prove no walk in the park for the son of Oasis Dream. In Godolphin's Blue Point he faces a serious challenger and, for all that he was in receipt of plenty of weight, Hit The Bid gave Ertijaal a real race first-up and he has stepped out and won well since.
Blue Point will be meeting Ertijaal on the latter's terms, having never raced over 1000m, but he isn't short of speed and his stable are humming along of late.
He was only seen four times last season, running slick time in a pair of Group 3 wins on either side of sound efforts in hot Group 1's behind Caravaggio and Harry Angel.
His fresh win came at the expense of the hugely talented Harry Angel on firm ground and in fast time. That is the piece of form that really stands out here and leaves him looking a legitimate threat to Ertijaal.
With the Al Quoz Sprint now run over 1200m, Blue Point will fancy his chances against the 1000m specialist Ertijaal on World Cup Night regardless of the outcome tonight.
Later on the card the Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes has a very Godolphin feel about it. The boys in blue saddle four including the top two chances in Leshlaa and Folkswood.
Leshlaa is the early favourite having beaten strong subsequent winner Blair House last time but Folkswood was very good in a three-run Australian campaign, following on from a very good time of things in Dubai last season when he was Group 1 placed.
He is fairly reliable and looks a good bet against the favourite on his seasonal return this evening.
