Creative Force Aims for Al Quoz Sprint

QIPCO British Champions Sprint (G1) winner Creative Force  will kick off his 2022 campaign in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) on World Cup night in Dubai in March.

The 3-year-old, who is 3-1 favorite with Paddy Power, could be among several leading chances for British champion trainer-elect Charlie Appleby at the culmination of the 2022 Dubai Carnival on March 26.

The six-furlong turf sprint has been a lucrative target for Appleby, who has won two of the last three runnings, most notably with Blue Point  in 2019.

The $1 million race will be a first outing overseas for Creative Force, whose finest hour came when he denied Glen Shiel  successive victories on Champions Day.

The Dubawi  gelding was one of the most progressive horses to come out of Moulton Paddocks in 2021 during which time his British Horseracing Authority rating rose 29 pounds after winning five of his eight starts.

He kicked off on the right note when winning four races in the first part of the season, culminating in his victory over seven furlongs in the Jersey Stakes (G3) at Royal Ascot.

Creative Force was less prolific when returning to sprinting in the second part of the season, but was not beaten far in the Darley July Cup (G1) and the Betfair Sprint Cup (G1) at Haydock before giving Appleby a memorable win at Ascot.

Appleby said: "The idea with Creative Force will be to work back from another crack at the British Champions Sprint, which will take in races such as the Diamond Jubilee (G1) at Royal Ascot, and at this stage we plan to take him out to Dubai where the Al Quoz Sprint should suit him.

"He was only just getting into the sprinting game at the end of the year and traveled great through the race at Ascot, so hopefully he could have a great year in 2022."

Creative Force could be joined at Appleby's Marmoom stables in Dubai by Derby-winning stablemates Adayar  and Hurricane Lane  although unbeaten ante-post QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1) favorite Native Trail  will stay in Newmarket.

He added: "We may take Adayar and Hurricane Lane out to Dubai after Christmas for a holiday, depending on the weather, but we won't be taking Native Trail. He won't be going anywhere as he's a handful at Moulton Paddocks, never mind anywhere in the desert."

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: "Charlie Appleby knows exactly what type of animal you require to win the Al Quoz, having scooped it twice before, and his Breeders' Cup heroics mean any connections considering taking on Creative Force won't be doing so lightly."