MIKE DE KOCK gives his views on Dubai runners

Terry Spargo and Mike de Kock (Andrew Watkins)Mike de Kock had a relatively quiet “Super Thursday’’ meeting last week by the standards he had set during the rest of the 2008 Dubai Carnival, but he is looking forward to World Cup night, 29 March.

De Kock, who is back in South Africa for a few days, commented: “Super Thursday is the strongest meeting in Dubai barring the World Cup meeting and although I was disappointed in Asiatic Boy’s run, my other runners performed well.

“Asiatic Boy seemed a bit flat on the night, but he will be in top shape for the World Cup and there is nothing to be concerned about.

“Royal Vintage and Honour Devil fought out the finish of the Al Bastakiya and in the UAE Derby, at level weights, they will be better off than all their rivals.

“Oracle West finished a game third in the Dubai City of Gold, he will line up with Sun Classique in the Sheema Classic. Their preparation is spot-on, both are very well.

“Lucky Find will probably improve a length or two after finishing third in the third round of the Maktoum Challenge and we’ll be leaving him in the World Cup with Asiatic Boy. He will be up against it, we’ll be hoping for a place.’’

Divine Jury is also considered to have performed below best when third in the Zabeel Mile, but is reported to be in good condition en route to the Godolphin Mile.

Archipenko has raced twice in Dubai for an impressive win in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort and De Kock said: “He is a very good horse and will represent us in the Dubai Duty Free.’’

Extract from Mike de Kock Racing.com 

DIVINE JURY : Mike de Kock and Kevin Shea take on the Zabeel Mile

Divine Jury and Emperor NapoleonAfter four Carnival winners last weekend, including both the main feature races, it is a far quieter weekend for the Mike De Kock Dubai-based string this week with just three runners on Thursday night. Group 1 winner Divine Jury, who just edged out  Summerhill-bred son of Kahal, Emperor Napoleon, to the line  in the R1m Aryan Asphalt Gr1 SA Classic, takes his chance in the Zabeel Mile, a Listed turf race won in its inaugural running last year by Kapil, and would look to hold a major chance under the in-form Kevin Shea.

The five-year-old son of Jallad travelled supremely well on his UAE debut behind Linngari and was expected to come on a lot for that run. With most of his rivals exposed, he has to go close despite his Group 1 penalty.

Mike De Kock said: “He is a major player and a very nice horse. He needed his comeback and we are looking for a big run from him.”

Engrupido finally opened his UAE account last week in a 10-furlong dirt handicap and bids to follow up over the same course and distance but would appear to face a stiff task – the six runners include 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Curlin! The highest-rated horse ever to run in a handicap locally, his presence means the other five are running from out of the handicap.

De Kock added: “It is good prize money and he is guaranteed a share so it would be folly not to take the chance.”

Valiance takes his chance in the Listed Al Quoz Sprint over six furlongs on turf and arrives here on the back of a much improved effort at Jebel Ali last time. This is a far better race though and he has been done no favours drawn 10 of 10.

Extract by Peter Ward from Mike de Kock Racing

Class Tells as Lingari Swoops

Linngari (White Silks) (Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins)Class is permanent and Linngari showed that in no uncertain terms at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday night as he took out the Meydan Racecourse Handicap in fine style.

Linngari, the beautiful chestnut son of Indian Ridge from the Herman Brown yard, returned after his layoff to make the opposition look rather ordinary when he swooped on the leaders in the US$ 175 000 race to give his trainer a first win at the 2008 Carnival.

He was placed towards the back of the field for most of the race with Jockey Ryan Moore having to negotiate some traffic before tackling the leading bunch at the business end of the race, including the South African Grade 1 winner, Divine Jury, who had already made his run for the wire. Linngari loomed up by the 250m pole and raced on by Divine Jury in fine style to record the win.

This was his 4th win in Dubai and the win elevated his already lofty status amongst the Nad Al Sheba faithful.

“They went real fast early and there was a load of rubbish that we had to get around in the straight,” said Jockey Moore.

“He is high class,” concluded Moore.

Brown was obviously ecstatic with the win which saw Linngari’s owners, Rupert Plersch (VIP Thoroughbreds) and Peter Walichnowski rake up US$105 000 for the win.

“He’s such an easy horse, he looks after himself nowadays,” said Brown of his champion.

“He looks like he is in trouble and wins so easy. It’s wonderful.

“He is such an honest horse. The 1500m was good for his first and he is not 100% wound up and his aim is the Duty Free.

When asked if he would consider the invitation extend to the winner of this event to contest in the Futurity Stakes in Australia, the first leg of the Asian Mile Challenge, Brown said, “We are here for the World Cup, we can’t take that chance. We are here for the Carnival and World Cup night.”

Extract from SAHorseracing.com