Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum's Ertijaal (Aus) (Hard Spun), the former winner of the G1 Cape Derby in South Africa and a respectable fourth when beaten 2 3/4 lengths behind Real Steel (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai Turf Mar. 26, will make his next appearance in the 2000-metre G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin Apr. 24, trainer Mike de Kock confirmed Tuesday. Douglas Whyte, who picked up the mount in the Dubai Turf when regular rider Dane O'Neill was thrown from Kifaah (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), will have the ride in the QE II.
“Douglas was most impressed and felt that the QEII Cup would be a well suited race,” the conditioner commented on his website. “Ertijaal has really come well the last few weeks, he's in top form and I believe he is at his best over 2000m. I had a discussion with his owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum today. We considered things as they stand and Sheikh Hamdan agreed that we should press forward to Hong Kong.”
The homebred 4-year-old returned from a seven-month absence to finish a strong runner-up to Forries Waltz (SAf) (Greys Inn) in the G2 Al Rashidiya S. Jan. 28, but flopped in a single try on the dirt and was re-routed to the grass. He was a good third to Tryster (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G1 Jebel Hatta S. before his effort on World Cup night.
De Kock is a two-time winner of the QE II, having annexed the 2006 running with Irridescence (SAf) (Caesour) and the 2008 renewal with Archipenko (Kingmambo). The latter was third in the Dubai Duty Free S. prior to scoring at 13-1 in Hong Kong.
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