Via Africa far from disgraced
CHAMPION trainer rainer Mike de Kock says he has plenty of hope for both Via Africa and Banaadeer. He made this comment after the stable’s top sprinters finished out of the frame in Saturday’s Gr3 Meydan Sprint over 1 000m on turf.
Banaadeer and Via Africa were beaten just 1.50 and 1.75-lengths respectively in a high quality lineup.
De Kock reflected this week: “If you look at the result, both actually ran very well and weren’t in the least disgraced.”
Banaadeer
The pair arrived from South Africa late in 2014 and while Banaadeer was fully fit for the race, Mike feels he’d be a better horse next season.
“Banaadeer has some maturing to do and he’s fared well in three international starts. He’s going to be a better horse at four and I believe he will show his worth over 1 200m.”
Via Africa arrived in the UAE late in 2014 and this was her first start in 10 months.
She paced it out well with her male rivals before weakening a bit going into the last 250m, but she picked it up again in the last 100m and ran through to the line.
De Kock said he really liked the way Via Africa fought on when it looked all over.
“She held the bit and stayed on competitively after being matched for pace, perhaps for the first time ever.
“She will improve massively with this run, I’d say at least by the margin she was beaten.
“I am confident she can finish in the first four on Dubai World Cup night.”
Mubtaahij for UAE Derby!
Mubtaahij, ridden by Dane O’Neill, ended the Godolphin ace Sir Fever’s exceptional 10-run winning streak in Saturday’s Al Bastakiya over 1 900m on dirt at Meydan, beating him by 2.50-lengths.
This was a fifth win in the Listed contest for Mike de Kock.
He landed the race in 2007 with Asiatic Boy, who remains the only UAE Triple Crown winner – aside PAUL Lafferty is in Australia this week – Adelaide to be precise – looking for another Harry’s Son so assistant Roy Waugh will be doing duty at Greyville today where he will saddles Garibondy and Flying Loot in a competitive Condition Plate on the turf, second race on the card.
Both fillies have Australian connections, Flying Loot being Australian-bred and Garibondy, owned by Australian Vince Cox, but of the two Flying Loot looks to have the better chance although it will be tough going.
The race is likely to turn into a war of attrition as there are some especially quick fillies in the field and it may be a case of just who holds out the longest.
However, a change of tactics on Flying Loot saw her bring her a game to the track last time out as she settled in off the pace before nailing pacemaking Cherry Tripper.
With Cherry Tripper again in opposition along with War Path and Littleblacknumber there shouldn’t be any hanging from the Al Bastakiya also winning the UAE 2 000 Guineas and the UAE Derby.
De Kock commented: “Mubtaahij won a super race, this was a very good performance beating the 117-rated Sir Fever.”
He added: “Our third horse Ajwad was 10 lengths off the winner, underlining the ability of the first two.
“Sir Fever is one to watch because he is likely to improve several lengths for this run. We’ll have a healthy respect for him, but Mubtaahij also has improvement to come. The UAE Derby is going to be some race!”
O’Neill said: “I have been lucky to pick up the spare ride on him three times for three wins.
He ran a good race in the UAE 2000 Guineas last time and we knew this extra distance would suit him. He has a massive chance in the UAE Derby.” Owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Mubtaahij is a three-year-old colt by Dubawi from Pennegale, by Pennekamp.
– mikedekockracing.com around which could play in Flying Loot’s favour.
Stuart Randolph has been aboard in her last three runs so knows the filly well.
Anton Marcus has made a relatively quiet return to the saddle since his injury lay-off and will be aboard German Lady.
Charles Laird’s runner has not been out since November last year after making short work of Cherry Tripper on the Greyville poly.
The stable is going through a bit of a quiet patch at present and the lay-off could find her a little short of peak fitness but on her best form she has all the credentials and looks a serious threat.
Weiho Marwing and Anthony Delpech proved a deadly combination on Sunday with a treble and the pair team up again in the sixth where Marwing saddles the threeyear-old Dark Liability.
After a slow start to his career he was given a break and then sent out on the poly.
The transformation was instant as he finished a closeup second before romping home in a maiden.
The opposition is a lot tougher today but Marwing appears to have got to the bottom of his charge and with an extra 200m to travel looks the right one.
Go West McGraw and Hassen’s Bid could prove pick of the balance. There are five races on the poly, the final one being a Pinnacle Stake sprint.
Showmetheway
Although there are only seven runners, it looks none too easy.
Top weight Showmetheway finished three lengths adrift of his young rival when last they met but Mark Dixon’s runner does have a better record over the distance.
Royal Zulu Warrior out classed his rivals on the poly last time out but has some useful form over this trip on the turf and can follow up. Commodity Strike is also not out of it.