Godolphin Looks To Make Its ‘Point’ in the Al Quoz

[Wandering Eyes]

Twelve months on from having to be withdrawn at the barriers owing to blood coming out of his nostrils, Godolphin’s Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) looms as one of the evening’s shortest-priced favourites in Saturday’s US$2-million G1 Al Quoz Sprint up the 1200m straight track at Meydan.

Bouncing back to cause a mild upset over Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G1 King’s Stand S. at Royal Ascot last June, Blue Point could do no better than third in the G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. in August and connections called time on the season. He resumed with a towering five-length success in the five-furlong G2 Meydan Sprint, going one better than he did last season, and enters this on the back of a facile three-length defeat of Ekhtiyaar (GB) (Bated Breath {Ire}) in the G3 Nad al Sheba Turf Sprint over Saturday’s trip Mar. 9.

Australian-based gallopers have won the Al Quoz twice in the last seven runnings–Testa Rossa (Aus)’s daughter Ortensia (Aus) in 2012 and Buffering (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) in 2016. Brave Smash (Jpn) (Tosen Stardom {Jpn}), campaigned by the Australian Bloodstock syndicate, was second to Viddora (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) in the G1 Moir S. at the oddly-configured Moonee Valley last September before landing the same track’s G1 Manikato S. with Hugh Bowman at the controls two starts later. He’s been very good without winning in his current four-race preparation and exits a very good third when giving 15 pounds to the 3-year-old filly Sunlight (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}), who has since added the G1 William Reid S.

Two-time GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint hero Stormy Liberal (Stormy Atlantic) is drawn furthest from the stands in gate one as he tries to improve on his narrow lost at the hooves of Jungle Cat (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}). Since gutting it out at Churchill last November, he could do no better than second to Caribou Club (City Zip) in the GIII Joe Hernandez S. at Santa Anita Jan. 1 and though he missed in a Feb. 22 allowance going five-eighths, he took an awkward step at the quarter pole that almost certainly cost him the win.

Amber Sky (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and Joy and Fun (NZ) (Cullen {Aus) have won the Al Quoz for Hong Kong and Wishful Thinker (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) represents the Bauhinia this time. A progressive sort with wins in four of his last five starts, he has a versatile running style, should be suited by the straight six furlongs and is favourably drawn stands’ side in barrier 13.

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