Keane is able deputy for Dettori as A'Ali delivers knockout blow in Sapphire

Simon and Ed Crisford's A'Ali confirmed his considerable sprinting potential when he fended off course specialist Make A Challenge in the Sapphire Stakes under man of the moment Colin Keane.

As the field jumped from the stalls in the Holden Plant Rentals-sponsored event, Make A Challenge stole a march on his main market rival and travelled strongly in the lead on the far side.

In contrast, A’Ali, who had been supplemented for the five-furlong Group 2, missed the kick and the response wasn’t immediate when Keane asked him to pick up two furlongs down.