Star Of Mystery sparkles again with G1 Al Quoz Sprint second

Star Of Mystery maintained her superb start to 2024 at Meydan as she went down by three-quarters of a length to Hong Kong heavyweight California Spangle in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup Night, Saturday, 30 March.

Hoping to become the first three-year-old to win the six-furlong turf highlight, Star Of Mystery overcame a sluggish start to settle in midfield as all bar Jasper Krone elected to race up the far rail.

Star of Mystery travelled strongly into the race as the leaders looked to kick on approaching the final quarter-mile and quickened smartly for Frankie Dettori to take second from Bilhayl and Diligent Harry with just under a furlong to race.

The Charlie Appleby-trained filly closed on California Spangle but could not get on terms with the six-year-old, who lowered the course record by more than a tenth of a second.

Charlie Appleby said: “I am delighted with Star Of Mystery. Frankie said he just got to California Spangle’s quarters and he went again, but she’s a three-year-old against battle-hardened sprinters.

“As to what we’ll do with her, it’s whether we go to the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot or give her a proper break. The race I’d like to work back from is the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint as I think that will suit her really well.”