Blue Point is Appleby’s big Dubai hope
Charlie Appleby has spent five years at the helm of one half of Godolphin, but has never had a winner in his own back yard on Dubai World Cup night.
On the back of being leading trainer at this year’s Carnival, he hopes to settle that score tomorrow and is nominating Blue Point in the Al Quoz Sprint as his best chance.
The four-year-old looked a potentially high-class sprinter when third in last year’s Commonwealth Cup and was only beaten by a head by Ertijaal, the local specialist, on his Meydan debut. With the winner absent from the Al Quoz, it has opened it up for Blue Point.
“I was delighted with that run over five furlongs,” said Appleby. “It took the freshness out of him and he won’t be out of his comfort zone so much over six.”
Godolphin look to have a strong team on the night. Appleby also has Rare Rhythm, who beat Vazirabad and Sheikhzayedroad here at the start of March, looking very much like the new kid on the staying block as he attempts two miles for the first time in the Gold Cup.
Appleby also has Hawkbill in the Sheema Classic and Blair House in the Turf. His Godolphin counterpart Saeed Bin Suroor, a seven-time winner of the Dubai World Cup, runs Thunder Snow in the big one, but nominated Benbatl in the Turf as his best chance.
“The Carnival’s gone well and it’s very competitive between Saeed and myself, but we’ve both enjoyed it,” said Appleby. “I thought I’d win it last year, but on the last day Saeed put some manners on me. It’s very competitive on Saturday, but one winner and I’d be able to tick that off the list. I don’t regard it as pressure, it’s great to be involved.”
On Tuesday, those Godolphin horses over-wintering in Dubai will return to Newmarket ahead of the Flat season.
Appleby added: “If I had to pick out three, I’d say Wild Illusion, Ghaiyyath and Glorious Journey. They have all got nice profiles ahead of the season.”