Appleby: Blue Point 'The Horse to Beat' in Al Quoz

Blue Point has produced his most electrifying performances going five furlongs, with his King's Stand (G1) victory at Royal Ascot in June representing the pinnacle of his achievements. However, the pick of his efforts over six furlongs, including a smooth three-length success here on Super Saturday, also give him outstanding claims.

The Godolphin-owned sprinter was set to go off at a short price for last year's Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored By Azizi Developments (G1), but a nosebleed at the start necessitated his withdrawal. However, the 5-year-old is an even more formidable proposition this time, having reached his mental and physical peak, and two decisive victories in Dubai this winter mean confidence is high in trainer Charlie Appleby's camp.

"Blue Point is in great order, and he's won his two starts this year," Appleby said. "The provisional plan was to go straight from the (group 2) Meydan Sprint (Sponsored By Gulf News) to the Al Quoz, but he was so well at home, we decided to give him an extra run to keep him where we wanted him.

"He's come out of (the group 3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint Sponsored by Arabian Adventures March 9) well and is the horse to beat."

Appleby has described the sprinter as being "the finished article" and revealed he has not seen a horse come faster up his gallops than Blue Point.

Leading the opposition to Blue Point is Sands of Mali, who thrived on a busy campaign last year, running every month from April to October.

He saved his best effort for last and made all to win the QIPCO British Champions Sprint (G1) at Ascot, earning an official rating just inferior to Blue Point's lofty mark of 118.

That was achieved on testing ground, but his Commonwealth Cup (G1) second proves he is effective on a sound surface, and he has reportedly handled the journey to Dubai well.

"This is a good starting point," trainer Richard Fahey said. "He's maturing and has taken this trip very well. I was worried about how he would take it—especially being a sprinter—but he's been brilliant."

Sands of Mali, who will carry the silks of new part-owner Phoenix Thoroughbreds, tends to race prominently, but Ryan Moore will be playing his cards late on Lost Treasure, a talented but quirky performer.

"He's a horse who likes to come from behind. He's in good form and just ready to start off," trainer Aidan O'Brien said. 

Dual Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) winner Stormy Liberal finished runner-up last year and returns bidding to go one better, while Hugh Bowman has his first ride at Meydan aboard Brave Smash.

"We won the group 1 (Ladbrokes) Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley, and his run in the (Seppelt Wines) Newmarket Handicap (G1) under Damien Oliver was an excellent performance," Bowman said. "If he can run as well as he did there, he's certainly going to be involved in the finish."

Japan-bred Brave Smash is one of three Australian runners in a cosmopolitan field of 13 in which seven countries are represented.