Road to the winner’s enclosure

THE Charlie Appleby-trained Blue Point started his season last year in Meydan where he finished a head second to Ertijaal in the Group 2 Meydan Sprint. This was a solid effort and the pair drew clear of the rest of the field.

However, the son of Shamardal could not replicate that effort when an 11-length last of nine behind Ivictory in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in Hong Kong.

Sent off a 6-1 chance at Ascot, where he took the scalp of subsequent dual Group 1 winner Harry Angel in May 2017, the four-year-old was content to track the leaders before heading the free-going Battaash by a length and three-quarters. Mabs Cross, in third, gave the form a solid look as she went on to Group 1 glory at Longchamp later on in this season.

KITTY TRICE

‘He started his season earlier than most after running in Meydan and three victories culminated in another Group 1’