Vodacom Durban July runner-up Al Sahem makes his debut at Meydan this evening for Mike de Kock’s yard in the Gr2 Al Rashidiya over 1800m on turf, alongside stablemate Light The Lights, who won just recently.
Al Sahem hasn’t raced since he was touched off in the famous Durban race and Mike de Kock, quoted on his website, www.mikedekockracing.com, said: “He’ll need it first up, but he’s doing well, we’re expecting a nice run from him. I’ve spoken to Sean Tarry about him, he’s not a horse that shows all that much at home, so the race will show us where we stand with him.
“I’ve left Christophe Soumillon on Light The Lights because he is in a good space, in form. We’ve got Pat Cosgrave on Al Sahem, we thought he got lost in the Deep Blue Sea but he’s showing his face in our stable again.
“I’d like to see good runs from both of them here.”
Janoobi (Jim Crowley) and Noah From Goa (Soumillon) will be lining up in the Gr2 Al Fahidi Fort, a race Mike has won many times in the last 15 years.
“Janoobi needed his first run here, he faded out but he’s improved and he’s well drawn. He can run strongly from the front so the race may suit him. If he gets away he may be hard to peg back.
“Noah From Goa impressed with his first run after a rest last time, he’s improved more and we’ll be looking for a forward run from him.”
Cosgrave rides the returning grey Liquid Mercury in a handicap over 2410m on turf – this one hasn’t raced for a year, he’s recovered from a pelvis operation and his action has changed because of that, he strides differently. “He’ll come on with the run.”
Alareef, who was well beaten last week but stayed on steadily for second, should run another decent race in a handicap over 1200m on dirt, Saturday. He’s won over the course and distance twice in the last three seasons and has a chance again. “He’s a soldier and he’ll improve on last week,” Mike said.
SAF-bred’s to have won the Gr2 Rashidiya include The Apache and Vercingetorix.
-sportingpost.co.za
SAF-breds racing tonight at Meydan:
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES MEYDAN THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2018
Race 2 Al Rashidiya sponsored by Jebel Ali Port 1800m 7 runners 19h05/17h05
Horse 1 Drawn 1 Al Sahem (SAF) Jockey P Cosgrove Trainer M de Kock rate 113
Sire Silvano
Dam Alderry
Horse 6 Drawn 6 Light The Lights (SAF) Jockey C Soumillon Trainer M de Kock rate 112
Sire Western Winter
Dam First Arrival
Race 5 Al Fahidi Fort 1400m 9 runners 20h50/18h50
Horse 3 Drawn 3 Janoobi (SAF) Jockey J Crowley Trainer M de Kock rate 110
Sire Silvano
Dam Shasta Daisy
Breeder Maine Chance Farms
Horse 8 Drawn 8 Noah From Goa (SAF) Jockey: J Crowley Trainer: M de Kock rate 113
Sire Tiger Ridge
Dam Limerick
Race 7 Hamdan Bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal 2410m 12 runners 22h00
Horse 1 Drawn 4 Liquid Mercury (SAF) Jockey P Cosgrove Trainer M de Kock rate 015
Sire Trippi
Dam Skip Poker
MEYDAN SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2018
Race 3 Mubadala Petroleum Trophy 1200m 10 runners 17h10/15h10
Horse 5 Drawn 3 Alareef (SAF) Jockey: J Crowley Trainer: M de Kock rate 89
Sire Stronghold
Dam Modraj
Race 5 Zayed Sports City Trophy 1400m 16 runners 18h20/16h20
Horse 1 Drawn 16 Mastermind (SAF) Jockey DO’Neill Trainer: E Charpy rate 97
Sire Var
Dam Model IQ
