Lazzat And Reef Runner In The Al Quoz Sprint Showdown
Meydan Turf Sprint Stage Set For Battle
The Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan brings together 13 of the world’s finest sprinters over 1,200 metres of turf, with Lazzat, trained by Jerome Reynier, once again renewing rivalry with Reef Runner, prepared by David Fawkes, in the centrepiece sprint contest of Dubai World Cup night.
Lazzat, a 5YO gelding by Territories out of Lastochka, has won eight of his 15 starts on turf and earned Group One victories at Ascot and Deauville, arriving as the highest-rated runner in this US$1,500,000 contest with an official mark of 120.
Reef Runner, however, most recently had the better of the argument, winning the Group Two at King Abdulaziz Racecourse by 1/4 length to establish himself as a genuine Group One threat, with William Buick now taking the ride from draw five.
Reynier’s Ace Leads European Sprint Challenge
Racing from draw seven under the experienced James Doyle, Lazzat arrives at the top of his game on a course and distance perfectly suited to his style. The son of Territories made his name in Europe as a dominant force over 1,200 to 1,300 metres, winning a Group One at Ascot by 1/2 length from Satono Reve before adding a Group One at Deauville by 3 lengths from Exxtra.
More recently he finished second in a Group One at Ascot, beaten 1/4 length by Powerful Glory, before going down by 1 3/4 lengths to Sajir in a Group One at Deauville. His most recent run brought a narrow defeat at the hands of Reef Runner in the Group Two at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, beaten 1/4 length, and Reynier’s charge will be determined to reverse that verdict on a stage befitting his considerable talent.
Reef Runner, a 5YO gelding by The Big Beast out of Paradise Bay, enters wearing blinkers and a tongue tie from draw five, representing a compelling transatlantic angle in the field. Fawkes has split the gelding’s campaign between turf assignments in North America and overseas ventures, with a Listed win at Gulfstream Park serving as the prelude to his career-defining Group Two triumph in Saudi Arabia.
Having also finished fourth in a Group One at Del Mar, behind winner Shisospicy, Reef Runner has demonstrated both quality and adaptability at the highest level, and the arrival of Buick adds further confidence to his chances.
Veteran campaigner Khaadem, trained by Charles Hills and drawn 13 under Richard Mullen, brings a wealth of Group One experience to the occasion. The 10YO Dark Angel gelding won a Group One at Ascot by 1/2 length from Swingalong and has remained competitive in Group Two company, landing a win at Keeneland by 1/4 length from Script.
Finishing third in a Group One at Del Mar, beaten 3 lengths behind winner Shisospicy, Khaadem confirmed he retains meaningful ability, though a well-beaten 12th at Sha Tin on his most recent start is a note of caution for those considering his prospects at the highest level.
Japanese Raider Lugal Brings Eastern Promise
The Japanese challenge is spearheaded by Lugal, a 6YO Duramente gelding drawn nine under Katsuma Sameshima and trained by Haruki Sugiyama. Winning the Group One Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama by 1/4 length from Toshin Macau, Lugal established his credentials as one of Japan’s premier sprinters, and he has retained that spark with a dominant Group Two victory at Hanshin, winning by 5 lengths from Namura Clair.
Finishing third in a Group Three at Nakayama most recently, beaten 1/2 length by Pair Pollux, he arrives in fair form, though two visits to Sha Tin in Hong Kong yielded little encouragement, suggesting he finds the track unsuited to his style. The step to Meydan represents a different set of conditions, and Sugiyama’s raider cannot be dismissed with Group One form to his name.
The French-trained mare Monteille, drawn six under Cristian Demuro and handled by trainer Mario Baratti, arrives carrying 58 kilograms having shown solid form in European Group Three company. Winning a Group Three at Paris Longchamp by 3/4 length from Rayevka, she then stepped into Group One company at the same venue, finishing sixth behind Asfoora and beaten 4 1/2 lengths. Her proven ability over sprint trips suits this assignment, and Baratti’s filly represents an outside chance from a favourable draw.
Rayevka, a 4YO Blue Point filly drawn two under Mickael Barzalona and trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, arrives with Group One credentials, having finished third in a Group One at Ascot, beaten 3/4 length by winner Time For Sandals. The lightly raced filly also won a Listed contest at Chantilly and ran second to Monteille in a Group Three at Paris Longchamp, and with the benefit of a low draw she carries the element of unexposed potential that could prove significant in a wide-open renewal.
Local Connections Bid To Steal Sprint Glory
Among the UAE-based contenders, Cover Up, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford and drawn three under Ryan Moore, makes an excellent case having produced his best form during the current Meydan season. The 6YO gelding by Exceed and Excel won a Group Two over 1,000 metres at Meydan by 1 length from Echo Point, having earlier landed a Listed contest over the same trip, before running a solid third in a Group Three at Meydan most recently, beaten 1 3/4 lengths by Native Approach. The booking of Ryan Moore represents a significant upgrade, and with a rating of 109, Cover Up arrives as a genuine contender for the places at a minimum.
Native Approach, drawn 12 under Connor Beasley and now trained by Ahmad bin Harmash following a switch from Charlie Appleby’s yard, caught the eye when landing the Group Three at Meydan by 1 1/2 lengths from Run Boy Run. The 5YO Too Darn Hot gelding, wearing a hood, is lightly raced and remains open to further improvement, though the step from Group Three into Group One company is a considerable one to absorb in a single bound.
Great Wish, drawn 10 under Silvestre De Sousa and trained by Bent Olsen, earned his place in this field following a Listed win over 1,200 metres at Meydan by 1 1/2 lengths from Two Tribes. Finishing fourth in the Group Three at Meydan most recently, beaten 3 lengths by Native Approach, the Scandinavian-based 5YO by Night of Thunder will need to find further improvement against a stronger field here.
Youth And Experience Clash In Sprint Finale
Marbaan, drawn four under Ray Dawson and trained by Michael Costa, has been a reliable UAE performer at Listed and Group Three level, winning a Group Three over 1,400 metres at Meydan and running second in a Listed contest at Abu Dhabi. His best form has come over the longer trip of 1,400 metres, but a thorough familiarity with Meydan conditions remains a genuine asset in his favour.
Run Boy Run, drawn 11 under George Wood and trained by Richard Spencer, caught the eye when finishing second behind Native Approach in the Group Three at Meydan, beaten 1 1/2 lengths, recording consistent form throughout the current season with a visor added to his equipment. Stepping up to Group One company is a stern ask, but Spencer’s gelding has shown a clear liking for the course and may outrun his rating.
The most intriguing runner in the field could yet be Northern Champion, an unbeaten 3YO Wootton Bassett colt trained by Ed Walker and drawn eight under Kieran Shoemark. Winning two conditions races at Meydan during the current season, including an impressive success by 1 3/4 lengths from Maximized, Walker’s colt arrives completely unexposed and capable of significant further improvement. Whether he can make the substantial leap from conditions company to Group One racing is the key question surrounding his participation.
Completing the field is Arabie, drawn one under Rossa Ryan and now prepared by Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga following a switch from Karl Burke. The 4YO Dandy Man gelding has run respectably in conditions company at Meydan this season, finishing third by 1/2 length from winner Two Tribes, and while this task is considerably tougher, draw one on the inside rail gives him every chance of being involved prominently from the outset.
Al Quoz Sprint 2026 Contenders
1. Lazzat (T: Jerome Reynier / J: James Doyle)
2. Reef Runner (T: David Fawkes / J: William Buick)
3. Lugal (T: Haruki Sugiyama / J: Katsuma Sameshima)
4. Khaadem (T: Charles Hills / J: Richard Mullen)
5. Cover Up (T: Simon & Ed Crisford / J: Ryan Moore)
6. Great Wish (T: Bent Olsen / J: Silvestre De Sousa)
7. Native Approach (T: Ahmad bin Harmash / J: Connor Beasley)
8. Marbaan (T: Michael Costa / J: Ray Dawson)
9. Run Boy Run (T: Richard Spencer / J: George Wood)
10. Arabie (T: Antonio Cintra & Julio Olascoaga / J: Rossa Ryan)
11. Monteille (T: Mario Baratti / J: Cristian Demuro)
12. Rayevka (T: Francis-Henri Graffard / J: Mickael Barzalona)
13. Northern Champion (T: Ed Walker / J: Kieran Shoemark)