Dubai: Top South African trainer Mike de Kock has indicated that he will do anything to win next Saturday's Dubai World Cup (Gr 1), sponsored by Emirates, with Asiatic Boy.
Even trade in his six major Dubai trophies in exchange for victory in next Saturday's $6million race.
The South African maestro has amassed over 50 wins in Dubai, including six at the Dubai World Cup meeting, but is still hankering for success in the world's richest race.
"I have won six races at Dubai World Cup meetings, but I would trade them all to see Asiatic Boy win the big one," de Kock told the Dubai Racing Club yesterday after watching the winner of last year's UAE Triple Crown work at Nad Al Sheba racecourse.
The four-year-old, who was previously unbeaten at Nad Al Sheba, could only finish third to Godolphin's Elusive Warning in the Burj Nahaar (Gr 3), his prep for the World Cup.
But de Kock, who saddled Victory Moon to take third place behind Pleasantly Perfect in 2004, is confident that Asiatic Boy will bounce back.
"He's too good a horse to be judged by one defeat," he said. "We didn't do enough with him going into the race and he wasn't quite fit enough.
Double success
"We have had some good work-outs since then and he has improved no end from his last run.
"I think the ratings are pretty accurate going into the race with Curlin in a league of his own, but I certainly wouldn't rule our horse out. A race can go anyway and we will be there to win if Curlin doesn't."
De Kock flirted with UAE racing history in 2004 when he attempted to complete the UAE Derby and Dubai World Cup double with Victory Moon. And he's attempting to complete the feat again with Asiatic Boy, the winner of the colt's Classic in 2007.
The South African has a second runner being aimed at the World Cup in Lucky Find, a hard-working winner of the second round of the Maktoum Challenge.
The South African-bred horse finished third in the third round of the series behind fellow Dubai World Cup challengers Jalil and Gloria de Campeao but De Kock remains optimistic of his chances.
"He can definitely run second and will be a better horse on the big night than those that beat him last time out," he said.
De Kock is also hoping to win the UAE Derby (Gr 2) for the fourth time with Royal Vintage and Honour Devil, who have dominated the colts division in the UAE this season.
Honour Devil won the Group 3 UAE 2,000 Guineas while Royal Vintage gained revenge over his stable companion by beating him in the Listed Al Bastakiya.
De Kock said: "It's hard to split them as they are both top-class horses, but if I had to bet my life on it I would go with Honour Devil.
"Royal Vintage is probably a better horse, but he is not as tough as Honour Devil, who is a real street fighter. Royal Vintage is more refined and a little more immature but he will be a live Dubai World Cup contender for next year."
De Kock also saddles Oracle West, the runner up in last year's Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, for another shot at the $5 million prize, alongside stablemate Sun Classique, an impressive winner of the Listed Cape Verdi and Balanchine Stakes at the Carnival.
De Kock also sends out Archipenko to challenge for the $5million Dubai Duty Free (Gr 1), a race that he has won twice in the past with Right Approach in 2004 and with Ipi Tombe, the previous year.
