David Mollett
28 March 2008
Johannesburg — WHATEVER the fate of SA's runner, Asiatic Boy, in tomorrow night's $6m Dubai World Cup, trainer Mike de Kock is confident of some top performances from his other runners.
Sun Classique, Narc, Oracle West, Royal Vintage, Honour Devil and Archipenko are other De Kock inmates in action, and the Johannesburg trainer is particularly keen on the chance of the last-named in the Dubai Duty Free. De Kock is bidding for his third Dubai Duty Free success and said: "Archipenko is jumping out of his skin. He is a mean machine and I have high hopes for him -- he is fresh and geared for action."
French-trained Darjina, whom I saw contest the Hong Kong Mile in December, may prove Archipenko's toughest opponent. Her trainer, Alain de Royer-Dupre said: "She got going too late in Hong Kong and I think she's in better condition now. This distance beyond a mile should suit her."
Sun Classique's owners, Warne and Wendy Rippon, have arrived in Dubai and will be hoping their Aussie-bred filly can hold her own in arguably the toughest race of her career.
De Kock will saddle owner Anthony Maroun's sprinter, Narc, in the Golden Shaheen, but feels the gelding faces a tough task because of his late arrival. "We've been putting him through his paces and he looks like a workmanlike horse who will do his best on the night."
The United Arab Emirates Derby has also been a lucky race for De Kock in previous years, and he sends out Royal Vintage and Honour Devil. "As always, I expect there'll be little between the pair. They have delighted us with their performances, fighting close battles, and I'm hoping to see another ding-dong contest," he said.
Oracle West has played his part in De Kock's 18 wins in the current Dubai season, and the stable stalwart will bid to improve on his third placing in last year's Sheema Classic.
"He is just a tough, honest performer who has managed three Dubai carnivals, which is a feat in itself," said De Kock. "He is in good form and will have improved a lot for his last run."
Goldophin had a rare blank at last year's meeting and top jockey Frankie Dettori said yesterday he was "only hopeful" that his mount, Jalil, can topple Curlin in the Cup. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor was more bullish about Jalil, a $9,7m buy as a yearling, saying he felt his charge had "a fighting chance."
Turffontein host a nine-race programme tomorrow with the Grade 2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes topping the bill.
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