Dubai: Mike de Kock has not one, but two serious contenders for tomorrow's UAE Derby (Gr 2) and the leading South African trainer is hoping they will finish in a dead heat!
"It's a great feeling to have two really nice horses in the race. I don't know who will come out on top, but I'd rather it was one of mine than someone else's," De Kock told Gulf News.
"It's an unusual situation, but I'd rather have two chances than none. They're both in top condition and ready to run.
"Honour Devil has proved himself a real fighter while Royal Vintage is an improving horse. They're both great horses and it's hard to split them - a dead-heat would be great," said the South African trainer who has amassed more than 50 wins in Dubai.
"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."
Lukewarm effort
De Kock also saddles former UAE Triple Crown winner Asiatic Boy in the Dubai World Cup (Gr 1) a race that he says he will do anything to win - even swap his six major Dubai trophies in exchange. "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.
The four-year-old, who was previously unbeaten at Nad Al Sheba, suffered a setback when he produced a lukewarm effort to finish third behind Godolphin's Elusive Warning in the Burj Nahaar (Gr 3).
But de Kock, who sent out Victory Moon to claim a creditable third place behind Pleasantly Perfect in the 2004 Dubai World Cup, is confident 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. We have had some good work-outs since then and he has improved no end from his last run.
"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 any way and we will be there to win if Curlin doesn't."
Godolphin, who are looking for their fourth success in the race, also hold a strong hand and De Kock is aware of the threat. "I expect a big show from the Godolphin duo My Indy and Numaany who will surely build on what they have shown," he said. "And their filly, Cocoa Beach, has looked good but we don't know how strong the races were."
Japan have not yet got their hands on the trophy but trainer Mitsugu Kon said his horse would run a big race. "He's shown good form since arriving in Dubai and we are very happy with that. He is well bred [1995 Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch] and has a good attitude. I hope he runs well, but I'm sure he won't let us down."
Odds
UAE Derby:
15-8 Honour Devil, 5-2 Royal Vintage, 9-2 Cocoa Beach, 10-1 Massive Drama, 12-1 My Indy, Strike The Deal, 14-1 Numaany, 25-1 Iide Kenshin, Light Green, Rock Ascot, 50-1 Ukrainian, NR Zain Alma Aenee.
Godolphin Mile:
9-4 Blackat Blackitten, 11-4 Elusive Warning, Diamond Stripes, 10-1 Baharah, 12-1 Golden Arrow, 20-1 Barcola, 25-1 Aleutian, Zakocity, 33-1 Brave Tin Soldier, Rosberg, Green Coast, 40-1 Halkin, 50-1 Jet Express, 50-1 Watch What Happens, 100-1 Don Renato
