MDK gets ready to rumble in Dubai.

UAE: With the UAE domestic season about to start on Friday at Jebel Ali it is only 10 weeks until the mid-January and the start of the 2011 Dubai International Racing Carnival.

South African trainer Mike De Kock, by far the most successful international handler since the advent of the carnival, will have a new UAE base this season having crossed the road to Blue Stables alongside compatriot Herman Brown.

De Kock, currently promoting his own feed brand in his native country, will have about 30 horses in the UAE in 2011, headed by UAE 2000 Guineas and Derby winner Musir.

He is to be aimed at the Dubai World Cup and De Kock hopes he can go one better than Asiatic Boy and Lizard's Desire who have both finished runner-up second in the world's richest race for the trainer.

Lizard's Desire is continuing to progress well in his battle with laminitis.

All three horses are owned by De Kock's main patron Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum

"Obviously the World Cup is a race we would love to win and every year we try and prepare a team with World Cup night as the end objective," said De Kock. "We have enjoyed plenty of success, especially in the UAE Derby and the turf races.

"The prize money is so good that the Dubai International Racing Carnival has become a major part of our year.

"I always maintained that Musir was the highest quality three-year-old colt I had taken to Dubai," he added. "Hopefully he can progress into a genuine World Cup horse and we know he loves the Tapeta surface at Meydan."

De Kock's Durban July winner Bold Silvano, also owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa, is another with World Cup aspirations.

Irish Flame, who chased him home in South Africa's most prestigious race, is likely to be aimed at the Sheema Classic. De Kock has made no secret of the fact he considers this horse an ideal type for the Melbourne Cup 2011.

New recruits include J & B Met winner River Jetez, fellow Group 1 winner Link Man and useful four-year-olds Star Empire and Badger Lakes.

any news on the most important?....Mahbooba?

First domestic meeting on new course at Meydan

Preview: Dubai, Thursday Live on ATR

Meydan: First domestic meeting (Tapeta)

It will be the first time a domestic meeting has been staged on the new course and, with the meeting to be shown on SIS, there is added interest but the card looks particularly competitive and finding winners will not be easy.

All six races are on the Tapeta surface which met with worldwide acclaim at the 2010 Carnival. The official highlight is a 1m handicap for which a field of 11 have been declared.

Cant wait for this racing festival to start!!!! South African ex race horses can hold their own!!! Lets cross fingers.