Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby believes there is unfinished business for talented sprinter Blue Point on this year’s Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on Saturday, 30 March. He will be out to prove a point, if you will pardon the pun. 

Last March, the son of Shamardal arrived at the start for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, only to be withdrawn on veterinary grounds. A small trickle of blood had been detected.

In the event, stablemate Jungle Cat acted as a ‘super sub’ and led the field home in triumph, and while Appleby was delighted, he is of the opinion that Blue Point can return and claim the prize this year.

The high point to Blue Point’s 2018 season was his sterling win in Royal Ascot’s G1 King’s Stand Stakes. The decision for him to be kept in training as a five-year-old is expected to prove lucrative, with the Al Quoz being a perfect target to get the ball rolling.

Appleby has picked out the Meydan Sprint on Thursday, 14 February, as his prep race — he was second in last year.

Appleby’s three to follow at the Dubai World Cup Carnival are:

ART SONG: 3yo bay colt (Scat Daddy - Practice): Showed himself to be a colt of potential when winning a 1m Kempton Park novice (on Polytrack) with something in hand. Appleby said: “He’s a horse I hold in high regard. I have earmarked the Al Bastakiya Trial, on Thursday, 24 January, as a starting point for him in Dubai. On breeding, he should be suited by the dirt.”

BLUE POINT: 5yo bay colt (Shamardal - Scarlett Rose): Withdrawn at the start of last year’s G1 Al Quoz Sprint on veterinary grounds and bounced back from a troubled trip to Hong Kong to win the G1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. Appleby said: “The plan is to have one run before the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night, in the Meydan Sprint on Thursday, 14 February.”

LOXLEY: 4yo bay colt (New Approach - Lady Marian): Won the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville, over an extended mile and a half, but failed to get the trip when 10th in the G1 Doncaster St Leger. Ran well when second in the G2 Prix Dollar at Longchamp. Appleby said: “We will look at the G1 Jebel Hatta on ‘Super Saturday’ for him, which should lead nicely into the G1 Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup night. I feel the distance (9f) will suit, as we saw in the Prix Dollar.”