Great night out at Meydan for Mike de Kock

Red Duke and Tonabrocky both win in Dubai, reports John Byrne.

Red Duke won the Longines Conquest Classic, the fifth race of the night, at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Saturday night. Duncan Chard for The National

DUBAI // Racing at Meydan on Saturday night was a tad low key after Thursday’s Dubai World Cup Carnival meet but South African trainer Mike de Kock, in double form that night, proved his string are in great form with a one-two in the featured 1,600-metre turf handicap.

Red Duke beat Alhebayeb in the first of two winners for UK Champion Jockey Richard Hughes, who promptly followed up in the concluding 2,000m Tapeta handicap, aboard Tonabrocky, for Bahraini owner and trainer, Fawzi Nass.

Nass said: “That is his first start for us and a perfect one. Hughesie has given him a great ride and, hopefully, the horse has more to come.”

Trainer Doug Watson and stable jockey, Pat Dobbs, were in double form with Kilt Rock landing the 1,200m turf handicap, backed up by Ostaad in a 1,400m Tapeta handicap.

Watson said: “We knew we had some good chances this evening but you will always be happy with a double.

“Kilt Rock has been great at Jebel Ali over the last season or so but has been running well here, back on turf, this year. We knew he would not be far away.”

The first race, a 2,200m Tapeta maiden, was won by Ghost Army who made all under Adrie de Vries for rookie trainer Ahmad bin Harmash.

Arguably the most impressive winner was Genius Step, victor in the 1,200m Tapeta handicap, for trainer Satish Seemar and stable jockey Richard Mullen.