The tremendous Australian sprinting mare Viddora ran her heart out but in the end, we saw a global sprinting superstar emerge in Dubai last night.
In the 1200m Gr 1 Al Quoz Sprint, the Blue Army’s Blue Point (Shamardal-Scarlett Rose) ran 1.8.62 on turf to claim the big race at Meydan holding out the American pair of Belvoir Bay and Stormy Liberal.
But back in 4th spot in the US$2million race, was Adelaide’s star mare Viddora for trainer Lloyd Kennewell and jockey Joe Bowditch, who made up many lengths over the final 200m coming from near last.
Brave Smash, for Australia also, was travelling up in 4th spot most of the way and right near Blue Point throughout but after looking a threat at the 300m, just went one pace to the line and was 8th of the 13.
The other Aussie horse, Illustrious Lad was near last most of the way and was back there at the end.
Blue Point is a Gr 1 Kings Stand Stakes winner and will head back there following this victory. No mention has been made about $13 million The Everest at Randwick over 1200m in October.
But plenty agreed that he is the World’s best 1000m sprinter and one of the best over 1200m.
That probably only gets franked if he trundles down to Australia and takes on our star speedsters. And that may occur as he is trained by Charlie Appleby who is no stranger to travelling to Australia.
Blue Point is a half-brother to a Irish Gr 2 winner in Formosina and his worth as a dual-hemisphere stallion would increase remarkably for Godolphin should he win in Australia.