Hamdan Al Maktoum's Ertijaal (Ire) will bid to atone for a narrow defeat in last year's race when he lines up for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on Saturday. Beaten just three parts of a length in 2016 by Buffering (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) the Ali Rashid Al Rayhi trained 6-year-old arrives into Saturday's contest in rude health having won his two starts this year over five furlongs in great style. His trainer believes the newly increased race distance of the Al Quoz to 1200m will also prove no hindrance. “We are very much looking forward to Saturday with him,” Al Rayhi said. “This is his third season with us and he has been a real solid performer since joining the yard. He has shown his quality on numerous occasions and remains in great form. He was second in this last year over 1000m but the extra 200m should not be a concern,” he added. Having begun his racing career with William Haggas for whom he won three times Ertijaal transferred to his current trainer over two years ago and despite his Group 1 placing last year he only landed his first group race when running away with the G3 Meydan Sprint Feb. 16. In contrast, one of his rivals on Saturday Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}) is already a dual Group 1 winner and Henry Candy's gelding will be having his first taste of Dubai on Saturday, which will be his first run since finishing fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita last November.
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