Al Quoz Sprint 2014

3.30 Meydan

Al Quoz Sprint Empowered By IPIC (Group 1) (Turf) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner 599,999 AED

Advice: 1 pt win Amber Sky (3/1 general)

Joy And Fun: 2010 winner of this when it was a Group 3 over 6 furlongs but third in 2012 and runner-up last year; Age looks to be getting better of him now however and out of it in Hong Kong sprint when running out of room late.

Sole Power: Second in 2012 and fourth last year before winning King’s Stand at Royal Ascot; Didn’t have things fall right for him during rest of campaign (although still second at Sha Tin over 6f in December) but reappearance run here a fair one and looks to be a good each/way option for those who want value; Can go well.

Sholaan: Loves it at Jebel Ali, posting another couple of very smart wins there this year, but disappointing there latest and turf in this company a completely different matter.

Medician Man: Back to the top of his game this season, landing pair of handicaps off 5 and 6 furlongs (108 and 101 the winning marks) the last twice; Much more on plate now returned to group 1 level but can go well if they murder eachother upfront and that has to be a probability.

Beat Baby: Nowhere in the Group 3 C&D trial latest and hard to see him changing anything here.

Hamza: Career best effort when third in L’Abbaye (just behind Catcall); That the last time we’ve seen him however and would need to improve again off that bare form; Hard to see him lasting home today.

Berlino Di Tiger: Wins over this trip in Brazil (2012) and USA (last year); Showed some blazing speed to last home at Churchill last may but then disappointed twice and this should be too tough for him.

Amber Sky: Hong Kong raider who comes here with fine 5 furlong record (11121462311)and off the back of a deeply impressive win in Centenary Sprint Cup (reached lead, never saw another rival, and eased down latest), Hong Kong’s premier mile championship.

Dux Scholar: Picked many off coming from the rear to take encouraging third place in the trial run over C&D and to be fair likely to have similar pace to run at today, but much higher class of opponents to deal with today and while place effort would be  no surprise, surprise to see him winning.

Catcall: Had the L’Abbaye trail and the main event taken from him in the last strides of the post last season; No lack of speed but both times he’s looked a step behind the best in UAE and the

Athoug: Smart sprinter who has to be given a chance based on two latest efforts, when just held by Median Man and Shea Shea on his last two tries, although he didn’t look as if he was going to turn that form around then (or win at any stage despite getting very close).

Shea Shea: Crack South African Sprinter who has shown his best form on world stage, setting and beating own course record here when landing last year’s renewal and then possibly unlucky not to win a Group  1 in England; Return win was deeply impressive despite diminished margins and draw looks to have played nicely for him; The one to beat.

VERDICT: The outstanding talent in this comes from defending champion Shea Shea and AMBER SKY, who gets a marginal vote on the basis of price. If the Hong Kong speedster can get to or match the lead early he will take some serious pegging back and he can beat the South African raider and Sole Power. Medican Man is best of the rest for us although Dux Scholar could be passing many late and is capable of outrunning his price.