Trainer Nigel Tinkler was upbeat after his Group 1-placed Acklam Express (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) finished second to Lazuli (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 Blue Point Sprint at Meydan on Friday. Placed in three starts during last year's Dubai World Cup Carnival, including a third-place effort in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, he never factored in York's Listed Westow S. in May. He tired to 10th in the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot and was given some time off prior to his reappearance in the UAE. Starts in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint on Mar. 5 and another run in the Al Quoz at the end of March are next on the 4-year-old's agenda.
“He ran very nice,” said Tinkler. “I couldn't be more pleased and he stays out there now. He's going to run on Super Saturday and then World Cup night, all being well. He's bucking and squealing so we're happy.”
The MSP Racing and M Spence-owned gelding's long-term European aims are still up in the air.
“I think we'll give him a little break when he gets back,” Tinkler added. “I don't think we'll get him ready for the Duke of York. We might wait for Ascot probably. We'll play all that by ear. If we can get some money in the pocket, we'll be very happy.”
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