De Kock eyes a double

Leading international trainer Mike De Kock is hoping South African-bred Zanzamar will make it a double delight under Richard Hills when the powerful three-year-old colt by Fort Wood lines up for 2000 Guineas honours at the Meydan Racecourse on Thursday.

Published: Thu 10 Feb 2011, 12:14 AM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 8:42 AM

De Kock would like to see his stables retaining the title which was won last year by Musir, and more importantly, to deliver for his new partnership with top international horse owner and breeder Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance.

The Shaikh Hamdan UAE Derby hope, Zanzamar, was impressive on UAE debut after winning the 2000 Guineas Trial over 1400m on the All-Weather at Meydan in January. He scored by a length over a distance, considered well short of his best, after a almost six-month lay-off, according to his trainer’s website. “Zanzamar showed once again that the South African-breds are more than capable of being competitive on foreign soil. It is fitting that he is owned by Shaikh Hamdan who has seen the potential of our horses and their superb value in the world market. He has backed his belief in our industry with big investments,” De Kock said.

Meanwhile, UAE Derby winner Musir returns to Meydan to test his muscles against the elder and more experienced opponents in the 1600m Firebreak Stakes Listed, the fifth race on the card.

Having won all his last season’s three starts at Meydan, including a 1400m UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions, the 1600m UAE Guineas Gr-3 and the 1900m UAE Derby Gr-2 on the Dubai World Cup night last March, Musir wasn’t seen on the track since then.

But the Redoutes’ Choice would be facing his toughest challenge of his career after almost a 10-month-long lay-off in the form of Bankable from the Herman Brown’s yard and his team-mate Imbongi. But should Musir manage to prove his worth, the honest colt may follow in the footsteps of stable companions Lunday’s Liability, Victory Moon and Asiatic Boy for a dream line-up in the $10m Dubai World Cup Gr-1.

South Africa’s Horse Of The Year in 2010, Irish Flame will make his second UAE seasonal reappearance in the 1800m Dubai Excellence Trophy Handicap on turf, the final race on the card. Irish Flame was not in her elements on debut and was easily smashed by the track specialist Presvis in the Group 3 Al Rashidiya over Thursday’s distance and course. According to De Kokc, Irish Flame is being aimed at the Dubai City Of Gold en route to the Dubai Sheema Classic, both over 2410m. “That’s the game plan and with the Rashidiya race he got out of the starting blocks. He carried Group-1 penalty which did not make things easier,” he clarified.

In the meantime, Golden Sword produced an encouraging second place in the Friday Trophy over a mile on the All Weather at Meydan, running on late for a 0.75-length second to outsider City Life, with Atlantic Storm three short-heads behind him in fifth. The promising handling of the surface showed that he could strike in the 1900m Dubai Potlines Trophy third race of the night.

In the evening’s opener, the Dubai Imtiaz Trophy over 1400m on the All-Weather, the stable will be looking for competitive runs from top weight Atlantic Sport under Kevin Shea after finishing close fifth to City Stule a couple of weeks ago.

“Atlantic Sport ran an excellent race behind City Style over 1600m here last time and he should enjoy the shortened distance,” De Kock said.

In race two, the 2200m Dubai Casthouse Trophy Handicap, Once More Dubai will be difficult to beat and Happy Dubai looks to be heading for his third straight win in the 1000m Dubal Trophy Handicap on turf.

KT selections: 1- Rakaan/ Atlantic Sport 2. Once More Dubai/ Monte Alto 3. Golden Sword/ Final Drive 4. Prohibit/ Happy Dubai 5. Bankable/ Imbongi 6. Paulinho/ Zanzamar 7. Irish Flame/ Rahina.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com