Trainer Mike de Kock was impressed by Musir's form on Thursday night.
Trainer Mike de Kock was impressed by Musir's form on Thursday night.
Trainer Mike de Kock was impressed by Musir's form on Thursday night.
Trainer Mike de Kock was impressed by Musir's form on Thursday night.

Sport

Winning Musir aimed at Dubai Duty Free race

Mike de Kock's horse canters to victory in the Group 3 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 at the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Sarah Tregoning

January 13, 2012

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DUBAI // Mike de Kock's UAE specialist, Musir, is to be campaigned for the Dubai Duty Free after romping home in the Group 3 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 on Thursday night.

Musir seems back to his imperious best following what for him a disappointing last season when he finished seventh in the2011 Dubai World Cup.

Christophe Soumillon steered him to an easy three-length victory in Thursday's 1,600m Tapeta contest.

De Kock said he would switch his galloper back to turf this season rather than have another shot at the World Cup.

"Christophe has been saying since he got back that he's been doing better," said the South African. "I think I'm going to get him back on the turf and run him in the Dubai Duty Free."

Soumillon warned there was more to come.

"This horse is a superstar," He said. "He's a really amazing horse. It was amazing how he won the Derby [in 2010]. He's very strong this year and he's going to get better."

De Kock scored a one-two with new acquisition, Master of Hounds, formerly an Aidan O'Brien inmate, ridden by Kevin Shea crossing the line behind the 2010 UAE Derby winner. The Group 1-rated Purebred Arabian version of the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1, also over 1,600m, produced the most dramatic finish of the night.

Sahib du Clos is making a habit of claiming the UAE's most important Arabian races after winning the National Day Cup in Abu Dhabi at last outing. Last night he edged out Kandar du Falgas in a photo finish.

Saifaldin Deeb's charge set down his President's Cup credentials when coming from behind to pip Doug Watson's Kandar du Falgas on the line.

Kandar du Falgas appeared to have the race sown up from 200 metres out, but the fast-finishing Sahib du Clos whipped around the back of the field to claim victory by a lither of a nostril.

"We wanted to keep him at the back because he has a good turn of foot," said Sahib du Clos's owner, Faisal al Rahmani. "But they didn't go very fast. But he has enough speed and he got himself out of trouble. His next race will be the President's Cup."

Watson may have been denied victory in the Arabian race, but his sable stalwart, Barbecue Eddie, produced the goods just 30 minutes later for jockey Richard Hills.

The consistent eight year old had been second at last outing in December and his trainer had him spot on for last night's 1,400m Tapeta contest, winning readily by a length-and-three-quarters.

British trainer, David Nicholls, a regular at Meydan Racecourse and also at the old Nad al Sheba racecourse over the years, added to his win last week - his first in 66 attempts in Dubai - last night by following up with his second victory at the track courtesy of the same horse, Addictive Dream, under Adrian Nicholls.

sports@thenational.ae

While you're here
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species

Camelpox

Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.

Falconpox

Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.

Houbarapox

Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.

Meydan RacecourseDubai