Not even the sensational scratching of his number one contender could deny trainer Charlie Appleby a first winner on the Dubai World Cup programme as Jungle Cat pounced inside the final 200m to collect the Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by Azizi Developments.

What a maelstrom of emotions the Godolphin handler must have experienced as his the strongly fancied Blue Point was taken out of the Group 1 turf dash behind the gates on veterinary advice.

But just moments later, James Doyle was producing a telling late burst on Jungle Cat to be half a length to the good from the strong finishing Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint champion Stormy Liberal with a length and half back to another American contender, the pacesetting Conquest Tsunami. The winning time was 1:09.37.

“I said before the race that if Blue Point was to falter tonight then Jungle Cat would be there to pick up the pieces,” Appleby said.

“I don’t know what happened with Blue Point but there just seemed to be a trickle of blood from his nose. Once he was withdrawn I knew I had to compose myself as Jungle Cat was in the form of his life. The team has done a fantastic job and I am delighted to win. I fancied him last year but the rain came and he finished fourth. He is now a Group 1 winner and I am very proud of him.

“James (Doyle, jockey) gets on with him very well and he rode a perfect race. It is a first Group 1 for Jungle Cat and it is richly deserved. It is also a terrific feeling to win a race on the biggest stage for Godolphin,” the trainer added.

James Doyle said: “Obviously, he stays 1400m so I jumped quite well and then found myself just in the middle of them. He is a horse who likes to get a bit of room, so there was that option after going a furlong or so to move out to my right and give him all the room in the world and that panned out all right. You can set the clock by him. He is fantastic.”

The order of finish was completed by Washington DC, Illustrious Lad, Richard’s Boy, Holding Gold, Faatinah, Librisa Breeze, Baccarat, Music Magnate, Hit The Bid and Magical Memory.

Image DRC