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De Kock: Mubtaahij to run big race in Dubai World Cup

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Mubtaahij: will bid to give his trainer a first Dubai World Cup victory

Mubtaahij: needs to bounce back from two below-par efforts this year

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

 By Jack Haynes 2:10PM 21 MAR 2016 

MIKE DE KOCK is eyeing a first Dubai World Cup success on Saturday and expects Group 2 dirt scorer Mubtaahij to run a big race despite being a beaten favourite in two starts this year.

Owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, the son of Dubawi finished fifth of seven behind Godolphin’s Confrontation at Meydan in February then could only manage a seven-and-a-half length fourth to the formerly Mark Johnston-trained Special Fighter in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge at the start of this month.

However, De Kock, who enjoyed an eight-length UAE Derby victory with Mubtaahij at this meeting last year, feels there are excuses for the four-year-old’s defeats this campaign.

De Kock said: “First time, in the Firebreak Stakes, we kept telling everybody he was 80 per cent fit and tackling a 1,600m trip too sharp for him.

“Super Saturday was, on the face of it, disappointing but the more you look at the race, all the dirt races on that day even, there seemed a definite bias towards those on the pace.

“I can say he is spot on for Saturday and we expect him to run a big race.”

Mubtaahij is a best-priced 20-1 shot with Stan James to secure the $10 million prize for connections with the market being headed by general 6-4 favourite California Chrome and 2-1 chance Frosted.

Chasing further Turf glory

The Dubai Turf has twice been won by De Kock with Ipi Tombe in 2003 and Right Approach, who dead-heated in 2004, and the South African trainer saddles Ertijaal and Forries Waltz in this year’s renewal.

Despite his record in the race, De Kock feels the majority of the field have it all to do to trouble general 2-1 favourite Tryster, who was ultra impressive when winning the Jebel Hatta this month.

Quoted on his website, De Kock said: “My two are in good form and should run well but, in all honesty, I think we are running for second prize-money as Tryster looks the real deal.

“He has quickened off a slow pace and from behind a decent gallop. It is hard to see a chink in his armour.”

Forries Waltz, a smooth winner of the Al Rashidiya in January, is 12-1 with Paddy Power to secure a third Dubai Turf victory for De Kock on Saturday, while Ertijaal, a three-length third behind Tryster last time, is a best-priced 33-1 shot with William Hill.

 

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