Dubai Thursday 28 January

RXP

DUBAI - Trainer Mike de Kock, who runs top filly Mother Russia in Saturday’s Met, is upbeat about the start of the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival on Thursday.

"I’m really excited about the start of racing at Meydan. The horses are well ahead of where they were at this stage last year. The difference is like night and day,’’ said De Kock. "And I’m hugely impressed with the new Tapeta well-weather track. It’s very kind on horses and I think it’s going to be a real test of jockeys’ skills. With the old dirt track at Nad Al Sheba whoever was in front or in the box seat usually won. On the all-weather I reckon horses will be able to come from anywhere.’’

De Kock has 11 runners at the opening meeting of the Carnival. "I’ve landed running,’’ he said. "I have some nice ones entered for first night including Raihana, who has been showing us a lot. I rate her and this will be a good test for her. She ran twice back in South Africa, finishing second over 1000m before winning a 1400m. She’s come here with the same kind of background as Victory Moon.’’

Racing fans can also look forward to seeing horses like Hunting Tower and Rocks Off back in action.

De Kock’s hopes for the Carnival rest to a large extent on the young horses he has brought from South Africa and new faces like Golden Sword and Frozen Fire. But he believes he has an ace among the established members of his desert army in 2008 Hong Kong Cup winner Eagle Mountain, who was sidelined for a long time due to injury.

"Eagle Mountain came through his two runs in Hong Kong well and loves it here. I am going to run him on the all-weather and if all goes well he will go for the Dubai World Cup. I think a lot of trainers are going to be testing their horses on the all-weather and this year’s Maktoum Challenge could be very strong,’’ De Kock said.

Some quotes from the connections of tonights big race..


Kieren Fallon, jockey of Consul General

"His Irish form wasgood and he appears to have done well with Saudi Arabia, but whatever he does tonight I would expect him to improve."

William Buick, jockey of Otaared

"He is a really nice horse with plenty of ability. We will discover more about him here, but he should give a good account in a decent field."

Stephane Chevalier, assistant to Jerry Barton, trainer of Al Samha

"He has been going nicely at home and has some decent form on Polytrack in England and has done well in Saudi Arabia. It does look a good race this year though."

Mark Johnston, trainer of Lovelace

"He seems in decent form but I think he will probably just be in need of the outing."

Jeremy Noseda, trainer of Forgotten Voice
from jeremynoseda.com

"Forgotten Voice has settled in well in his new environment and is training well. He could just possibly need this first run and there are reasons for that - he has been gelded since his last start and took a little bit longer to get over that than we anticipated.

"Also, we were a little bit held up with his preparations by the harsh weather before he shipped, but he is ready to go and I think he willperform with credit with the run likely to bring him on."

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of My Indy and Midshipman

"Both horses have been working well and pleased us overthe winter. My Indy won the race last year and the second round, before a decent fifth in the World Cup. He has had a nice break, is in great health and should handle the surface.

"Midshipman has improved physically from last year and is working like a good horse. I think he will come on for the outing but he is proven on a similar surface."

Mike de Kock, trainer of Hunting Tower

"It looks a good race this year but I am happy with him and the whole team are definitely fitter than at this stage last year."

our lazy press need to get off their fat backsides and see how the trainers and jocks give comments for their respective runners chances in dubai..

Lizards desire favourite for his race betting

Is the meeting on Tellytrack? They just advertised the carnival but didn't mention showing it.

Sure i seen it on the schedule earlier on,4:44 the first race i think? the 4:00 is an Arab race not sure they are showing that..

Great, thanks Hibs.

Hell a fav in a race in Dubai all the best Kobus/Bravo

Did they show the Arab race? very impressive looking track and bends

Not a bad start for MDK

She raced so wide and still won well.
Hope she goes on to some good things for MDK.

the track looks magnificent. Hardly any kickback and looks very fair!!

Look forward to good racing

Very nice indeed.