South Africans primed for Dubai carnival

The Dubai International Racing Carnival commences Thursday with an

exceptionally strong South African-trained contingent gathering for the $31

million extravaganza.

Having saddled three of the six Thoroughbred winners on World Cup night last

year, as well as runner-up ASIATIC BOY (Not For Sale) in the Dubai World Cup

(UAE-G1) itself, the South Africans have a tough task to emulate last year's

achievements, but trainers Mike de Kock and Herman Brown will have their biggest

teams to date.

De Kock, the most successful Carnival trainer of all with 53 winners,

including eight World Cup night winners, has about 40 horses based at Nad Al

Sheba this season, including last year's UAE Derby (UAE-G2) winner HONOUR DEVIL

(Honour and Glory) and Asiatic Boy, winner of that race in 2007. Both could

clash in the 2009 World Cup according to their trainer.

"Asiatic Boy did not settle in the UK last year so we brought him back to

Dubai early and he is a lot further ahead in his preparation than 12 months ago

as a result," de Kock said. "He will probably contest the last two rounds of the

Maktoum Challenge before the Dubai World Cup."

The second round of the Maktoum Challenge is a Group 3 event scheduled for

February 5. The third round is a Group 2 event on March 5.

Both ARCHIPENKO (Kingmambo) and EAGLE MOUNTAIN (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire])

who, like Asiatic Boy and Honour Devil, carry the ever more familiar

predominantly yellow silks of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum, were Group

1 winners in Hong Kong last year and will be aimed at the Dubai Duty Free

(UAE-G1) and Sheema Classic (UAE-G1), respectively.

"Archipenko was unlucky in the Dubai Duty Free last year, while Eagle

Mountain missed out through injury," de Kock said. "I am certain he stays the 12

furlongs for the Dubai Sheema Classic and both horses have shown how good they

are in Europe, America and Hong Kong."

Proven Carnival performers like ROYAL VINTAGE (Rich Man's Gold), BENNIE BLUE

(Rich Man's Gold), ENGRUPIDO (Potrillon), DRIFT ICE (Western Winter) and FROSTY

SECRET (Put It Back) are joined by a plethora of new recruits including South

African champion sprinter J J THE JET PLANE (Jet Master).

Herman Brown's 13 Carnival winners to date are undoubtedly highlighted by JAY

PEG's (Camden Park) win in last year's Dubai Duty Free. With stable stalwart

Linngari retired, Jay Peg is the obvious star name this year but Brown, too, has

his largest ever team.

"We have more horses this year and hopefully it is our best team ever," Brown

commented. "That said, the horses have arrived later this time which is not

ideal and we may need a week or two to reach our peak. We have left a few here

all summer to acclimatize, including ORACLE WEST (SAf) (Western Winter) who has

been a great Carnival performer for Mike (de Kock).

"We have some nice new horses as well with (South African) Guineas (SAf-G1)

and (South African) Derby winner KING'S GAMBIT (Silvano [Ger]) perhaps the most

interesting from home. TRAFFIC GUARD (More Than Ready) has been here before and

did well in Europe, while MOURILYAN (Ire) (Desert Prince [Ire]) won two here for

John Oxx last season."

RACECAR RHAPSODY (Tale of the Cat) from the United States, LIPOCCO (Piccolo)

from Britain and BASALTICO (Shantou) from Italy are three others given a

favorable mention, but it would not be a surprise if further names are added to

the Brown team in the coming weeks with his owners looking to strengthen their

hand.