This week at the eighth meeting of the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan Racecourse, we have an exciting day on our hands. A Group 2 race, run over 1000m, The Meydan Sprint will be run with a mixed batch of performers in line.
Sheikh Hamdan’s Ertijaal should make a bold attempt to retain his title here in which there may only be six runners but looks a tough one. Trained by Ali Rashid Al Rayhi and the ridden of Crowley, Ertijaal has only been defeated once in six starts over 1000m on the Meydan turf. For Godolphin, Blue makes his local debut for Charlie Appleby. He makes his 4-year-old debut in what will be his first start over 1000m.
Appleby said: “He has been training very well and we are delighted with him. The Al Quoz Sprint which is now over 1200m is his main target, but we think he has the natural speed for 1000m.”
Ireland’s Hit The Bid, a first Meydan runner for Darren Bunyan, chased home Ertijaal on the first night of the 2018 carnival in a handicap over this 1000m course and distance. Two weeks ago, again over this track and trip he won his second local outing when reportedly still only 85% fit.
The race card also includes Sheikh Hamdan’s Fityaan and Sir Maximilian, representing Britain and Ian Williams, winners of this Meydan Sprint in 2016 and 2015 respectively.
Credit: Dubai Racing Club
| Gate | Horse Name | Age | Origin | Pedigree | Trainer | Owner | Jockey | Race Form |
| 1 | Fityaan | 10 | GB | Haafhd-Welsh Diva(Selkirk) | M Ritchie | Sh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum | Fernando Jara | 41 Starts, 5 Wins, 10 Places |
| 2 | Blue Point | 4 | IRE | Shamardal-Scarlett Rose(Royal Applause) | C Appleby | Godolphin | William Buick | 10 Starts, 5 Wins, 2 Places |
| 3 | Out Do | 9 | GB | Exceed And Excel-Ludynosa(Cadeaux Genereux) | D O'Meara | Evan M Sutherland | Adrie De Vries | 47 Starts, 8 Wins, 5 Places |
| 4 | Ertijaal | 7 | IRE | Oasis Dream-Shabiba(Seeking The Gold) | A Al Rayhi | Sh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum | Jim Crowley | 19 Starts, 9 Wins, 2 Places |
| 5 | Sir Maximilian | 9 | IRE | Royal Applause-Nebraska Lady (Lujain) | I Williams | Paul Wildes | Tadhg O'Shea | 28 Starts, 7 Wins, 4 Places |
| 6 | Hit The Bid | 4 | GB | Exceed And Excel-Selinka(Selkirk) | D Bunyan | Straight To Victory Syndicate | Oisin Murphy | 13 Starts, 3 Wins, 3 Places |
Trifecta:
1) Ertijaal
2) Hit The Bid
3) Blue Point