The Right Man clinches Al Quoz Sprint in thrilling fashion

The Right Man ridden by Francois-Xavier Bertras races to victory in Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by Azizi Developments at Meydan racecourse Dubai on Saturday.

For the first time, the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint was contested over 1,200m and what a photo-finish it produced.
Ertijaal, owned by  Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, came in as the favourite but it was The Right Man who stole the thunder from under his nose with a sudden burst in the last 50 metres to win the $1 million Turf race which attracted a field of 12 runners.
"This is what we live for," said jockey Francois-Xavier Bertas after the race. "Ertijaal took me along for a long way which helped. The horse was brave and that helped him win the race. I actually was quite confident because he wasn't 100 per cent fit for his prep race and I knew he'd improved," added the jockey.
Trained by Ali Rashid Al Rayhi, Ertijaal, who finished second last year to Buffering from Australia, was coming into this race after four subsequent victories at Meydan but that was over 1,000m. However, once he was off the gates in a flash, it looked as if he was going to make it a one-horse race.
He led from Richard's Boy with 500 metres to go. Final Venture was on the far side, while Limato, Baccarat, Long On Value, The Right Man and Jungle Cat were put on pressure with Ertijaal and Richard's Boy powering upfront with ease.
Ertijaal continued to lead with 300 metres to go but slowly Long Value caught him and Richard's Boy by surprise to move into pole position as they moved closer to the 100 metres.
It looked Long On Value's race until then but Right Man showed up from the pack to pip his rivals.
"Twenty years ago I would never imagine I'd win a Grade 1 here. This is an amazing achievement in my career. The horse is going to Hong Kong next if he's well and then maybe Royal Ascot," said trainer Didier Guillemin of the The Right Man.
Ertijall finished third. Jockey Jim Crowley blamed it on the rain. "We travelled well but didn't pick up in the softer ground like he normally does. It's a shame the rain came. It was still a good run under the conditions."
William Buick, rider of Jungle Cat who finished fourth, said: "He normally finishes his races very strongly, but that ground blunted his speed to a degree and although he was staying on well he couldn't get there."
Limato was ridden by Harry Bentley and finished a poor 10th.
"The run is disappointing, there is no doubt about that, but the ground was very loose, especially three furlongs out and he couldn't handle it," said Bentley.
"We will have to go back to the drawing board when we get him home."
clareto@khaleejtimes.com