Wildman Jack dazzles in Dubai

PA Sport Reporters
March 7, 2020 2:15 pm

American challenger tees up Al Quoz bid in record style.

Wildman Jack blew away the opposition with a scintillating display in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint at Meydan.

The American challenger, trained by Doug O’Neill, drew clear in the final furlong to easily take Group Three honours in a record time for the six furlongs.

Wildman Jack was always prominent before cruising into the lead under Fernando Jara two and a half furlongs from home.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Space Blues, the 4-6 favourite, was unable to get in a blow as the 40-1 shot romped to victory by three and three-quarter lengths from Ekhtiyaar, who was also runner-up last year. Laieth came from the clouds to snatch third place at odds of 100-1.

Tom Dascombe’s Angel Alexander had a good position throughout the race, but failed to take a hand in the finish.

O’Neill said: “That was insane. I don’t even know what to say. That was so powerful and he looked like a winner very early on in the race.

“I’m now fired up to stay injury-free and go on to the big day (Al Quoz Sprint World Cup night). He’s always acted special, but you never know how they’re going to mature. He’s just handled everything like a complete pro.”

RaceBets gave the winner a 5-1 quote for the Al Quoz on March 28, and Jara said: “I was so impressed by him and someone told me he broke the record.

“He was just cantering around. He was so relaxed. He seems to be a nice horse.

“He was a different horse today from last time, but they shortened him up in distance. They ran him over seven furlongs last time.

“He’s definitely stepped up today.”