Lazzat out to atone for Saudi near-miss in Dubai

Lazzat is fully primed to to go one better than his Saudi Arabia near miss as his Middle East odyssey rolls on to the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night.

Jerome Reynier’s Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes hero is without a victory since winning at Royal Ascot last summer, but has been knocking on the door – most recently in his Riyadh return when a wide draw hampered his cause during a neck defeat at the hands of American contender Reef Runner.

Back to a straight sprinting track in Meydan, connections are confident Lazzat will have optimum conditions to make a welcome return to winning ways in the valuable Group One contest.

“Lazzat is in good form and Jerome and his team seem very happy with him after his run in Saudi, where I thought he ran a nice race,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser for owners Wathnan Racing.

“He was drawn wide there which didn’t help, so I’m sure a return to a straight six at Meydan will be in his favour. Hopefully he can run a big race.

“He went straight to Dubai from Saudi Arabia and enjoys his travelling. Everything has been very straightforward, he’s had a good prep and all is good ahead of Saturday.”

Another member of Wathnan’s French string is Andre Fabre’s First Look who will now head to ParisLongchamp’s Group Two Prix d’Harcourt, a race the owners won with Map Of Stars last year, after a pleasing return when third in the Prix Exbury at Saint-Cloud.

Brown added: “I was delighted with the run at Saint-Cloud. James (Doyle) wasn’t too hard on him and he stayed on again in the closing stages.

“He had a good blow in the closing stages and I’m sure he will come forward for it and the plan is to go for the Prix d’Harcourt.”