AL QUOZ SPRINT, GROUP 1

CHARLIE Appleby must have experienced a myriad of emotions following the running of the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint over six furlongs on turf. At the starting gate his main contender Blue Point was withdrawn on veterinary advice, but that disappointment soon dissipated when Jungle Cat provided compensation and won the race. It was a first World Cup night success for the trainer.

Jungle Cat finished half a length to the good from the strong finishing Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint champion Stormy Liberal, with a length and half back to another American contender, the pacesetting Conquest Tsunami. The winning time was one minute 9.37 seconds

BLOOD

“I said before the race that if Blue Point was to falter tonight then Jungle Cat would be there to pick up the pieces,” Appleby said. “I don’t know what happened with Blue Point but there just seemed to be a trickle of blood from his nose. Once he was withdrawn I knew I had to compose myself as Jungle Cat was in the form of his life. The team has done a fantastic job and I am delighted to win. I fancied him last year but the rain came and he finished fourth. He is now a Group 1 winner and I am very proud of him.”

“James [Doyle] gets on with him very well and he rode a perfect race. It is a first Group 1 for Jungle Cat and it is richly deserved. It is also a terrific feeling to win a race on the biggest stage for Godolphin,” the trainer added.

James Doyle said: “Obviously, he stays seven furlongs so I jumped quite well and then found myself just in the middle of them. He is a horse who likes to get a bit of room, so there was that option after going a furlong or so to move out to my right and give him all the room in the world and that panned out all right. You can set the clock by him. He is fantastic.”

Irish runners Washington D C and Hit The Bid finished fourth and 12th respectively for Aidan O’Brien and Darren Bunyan in the 13-strong field.