'If he comes forward he'll be a live contender' - Appleby targets Group 2 glory

Charlie Appleby is eager to win the newly titled Group 2 Blue Point Sprint (3.45) at Meydan on Friday and looks to have a strong candidate in the shape of Lazuli.

The five-furlong contest was won by the four-time Group 1 winning Godolphin speedster, who is now a stallion at Darley's Kildangan Stud in Ireland, in 2019 and Lazuli is top-rated to follow suit in a field of nine that also includes last year's runner-up Acklam Express.

Lazuli, whose last success came in the Palace House Stakes on 2,000 Guineas day last May, finished runner-up to stablemate Man Of Promise in a Listed contest over six furlongs last month and should be sharper for that.

3.45 Meydan: full racecard

Appleby said: "We were delighted with Lazuli’s first run of the year in the Dubai Sprint and he is dropping back to his best trip here. If he can come forward slightly for his seasonal return, it will make him a very live contender, while he also has a nice draw in stall nine."

Acklam Express, trained by Nigel Tinkler, enjoyed a productive Dubai World Cup Carnival last year, but has not run since June when tenth in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

His regular jockey Rowan Scott will be on board again and said: "He surprised us a bit last season with how well he ran here, against his elders, Then he ran a brilliant race to be third in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on World Cup night.

"There aren't many races for three-year-old sprinters in the UK, so it was the plan to give him a lot of time off after Royal Ascot and to come out here again. We've got him as fit as we can at home, so I have to be hopeful of a big run."

Manobo (blue cap): was a striking winner at Longchamp in OctoberCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Meydan card also includes two Group 3 contests including the Nad Al Sheba Trophy (4.20), in which Charlie Appleby could again be in business with the unbeaten Manobo.

The four-year-old racked up four wins in 2021 including the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp on Arc weekend in October.

Appleby said: "Manobo's preparations have gone well and this is very much a stepping stone towards Dubai World Cup night. He had a lovely year as a three-year-old and we are looking forward to seeing him back in action."

Get the lowdown from Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor on red-hot Dubai teams (Members' Club)

Saeed Bin Suroor goes up against Manobo with Global Heat, who was beaten a short head in this race last year, and Dubai Horizon, who took minor honours in the contest in 2020.

The trainer said: "Global Heat came out of his race last week in good form and has run well over this trip in the past. Dubai Horizon has done well since his most recent run, which was his first appearance after a long time. He has been working nicely at home and will also enjoy this distance."

The likely odds-on favourite for the Group 3 UAE Oaks (3.10) is the Fawzi Nass-trained Shahama, a winner of all three of her starts to date including in the UAE 1,000 Guineas.

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