Limato breaks new ground for cunning Candy

Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored By Azizi Developments (Group 1)| 6f | 3yo+ | ATR/RUK

You have to feel for connections of Limato. They have travelled 4,500 miles to one of the warmest climates in the world only for it to hammer down with rain the morning before the Al Quoz Sprint, when their runner in the $1 million contest likes rattling fast ground.

All is not lost, however, as the turf course at Meydan is renowned for draining quickly due to its sand base, with the ground still described officially as good on Friday evening.

There was the prospect of further rain and potential thunderstorms on Friday night, although according to Gulf News, Saturday is forecast be dry until late, with just a "20 per cent chance of precipitation".

With Group 1 wins at six and seven furlongs last season, one thing that is in Limato’s favour is that the Al Quoz has been extended to 6f from five for the first time this year and he brings the best sprint form in Europe to the race.

Outside the purebred Arabian race earlier on the card, the locals see Ertijaal as their banker of the meeting. He was fancied in the race last year but came up short to Buffering but with big-race rider Jim Crowley saying he has never felt anything as good as this horse before, compensation may well await. Rumours that he was a doubt for the race which surfaced on Thursday night were quashed by connections Friday.

First time lucky?

There is not much Henry Candy has not done in his long and illustrious career but he breaks new ground today as Limato becomes his first ever runner in Dubai.

Keep taking your Medicean

Age, it appears, is no boundary to success in the Al Quoz, with the last two renewals (over 5f) going to eight-year-olds. The oldest runner tonight is the 11-year-old Medicean Man, who is a four-time winner from 15 runs at the track.

What they say

Joao Moreira, rider of Amazing Kids
He’s been doing well in Hong Kong. His trackwork has been eyecatching and I was happy with his last barrier trial. I do respect all the other horses in the race but I’m fully confident about the horse I have underneath me and we’re coming into this thinking we have a winning chance.

Jeremy Gask, trainer of Medicean Man
He’s fresh and on song. Given a choice, I’d have preferred to have been on the other side but the good thing is there’s a bit of pace around him and he likes to make his run around horses. Hopefully he’s going well enough at that point.

Geraldine Richshoffer, owner of The Right Man
He’s completely relaxed here and seems very at ease. He has really come on from his last run and he is supple and ready for the race.

Paul Midgley, trainer of Final Venture
All his main canters were done last week and he’s just been ticking away this week. He is fit and ready to race.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Jungle Cat and Baccarat
Ertijaal is the one to beat and Limato brings good form from Europe but it was good for Jungle Cat to put his head in front last time and that gives him confidence going in. Baccarat is stepping up to Group company and he’s out on a wing but Colm O'Donoghue gets on well with him. He just needs some luck.

Jim Crowley, rider of Ertijaal
Whenever I’ve ridden him he’s given me an unbelievable feel – one that I’ve never had before. I just hope he can reproduce on the day what he’s done so far. He holds the track record over five and six furlongs so the trip should not be an issue.

Aidan O’Brien, trainer of Washington DC
He's in good form. We're pleased with what he's done over the winter. He has loads of speed over five furlongs but he's won over six and if he gets luck in running – he needs plenty of cover – we'd be hopeful of a good run.

Harry Bentley, rider of Limato
I think the track will suit him great, it’s just a pity they always seem to get a bit of a deluge this week. There should be plenty of pace and and the should suit him. Ertijaal looks a contender but Mr Candy is happy with him and has always thought he's better off a break.