Sole struggles in Sprint Sole Power put up a rare lacklustre display as Australian challenger Buffering just held off Ertijaal to win the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan. Edward Lynam's veteran was held up as usual as he tried to retain the crown he won 12 months ago, but he didn't enjoy the clearest of passages under Chris Hayes and was never a factor. A leading light Down Under - a traditional hotbed of champion sprinters - Buffering was up with the pace throughout along with Peniaphobia. Ertijaal quickened up and briefly looked set to stretch away, but Damian Browne asked Robert Heathcote's speedball for another effort and he pulled out more. Paul Hanagan had one more crack at the winner, but went down narrowly. Charlie Appleby's Jungle Cat was fourth, with Muthmir fifth. Sole Power had to settle for 10th on this occasion, and Hayes said: "They probably didn't go the fractions I was expecting and I travelled too well. "He'll be better when they go faster." Browne said of the winner: "I knew at the 300 (metre pole) he had a good kick. We're proud to be here representing Australia - to come and get the money means a lot to us."
