Mubtaahij to race on in US after second place against best in the world
by David Mollett,
2016-03-29 05:00:00.0
NEW York racing fans are likely to see Mike de Kock’s star performer, Mubtaahij, contest races in the Big Apple later this year.
The SA champion trainer was understandably delighted with the four-year-old’s second in Saturday’s Dubai World Cup for which connections earned a $2m cheque.
As most pundits had predicted, victory in the richest race in the world went to the American raider, California Chrome, who started a well-backed favourite. The five-year-old is trained by Art Sherman and was ridden by Victor Espinoza who won by nearly four lengths despite his saddle slipping.
De Kock is a realist and knows Mubtaahij is unlikely to ever beat the American star. "We’ve run second to the best horse in the world now that American Pharoah has retired.
"I think he’s got a good race in him in America, but if California Chrome heads for the west coast, I’ll be heading for the east coast," he said.
South African punters were hoping that Harry’s Son and De Kock’s two runners, Forries Waltz and Ertijaal, would be competitive in the $6m Dubai Turf, but they failed to get a blow in with victory going to Ryan Moore’s mount, Real Steel. Nevertheless, full marks to Harry’s Son’s trainer, Paul Lafferty, for taking up the challenge in one of the richest turf races on the planet.
The De Kock yard looks set for a successful meeting at the Vaal today with Fursa, Tracy’s Legacy and Smart Mart having winning chances in their respective races.
Fursa, the mount of Callan Murray, has most appeal in the second race and can leave the maidens by beating Beckoning and Miss Whitefire.
Aussie-bred Tracy’s Legacy faces a tougher task in the third race as Geoff Woodruff’s runner Just A Reminder finished a creditable third last time out and should prove a tough opponent.
Smart Mart might well contest the finish of the final leg of the jackpot and warrants inclusion in all exotic bets.
Once again, the Woodruff yard should be to the fore with the two lightweights, Lord Windsor and Charanga, both having strong claims.
Picture: THINKSTOCK
NEW York racing fans are likely to see Mike de Kock’s star performer, Mubtaahij, contest races in the Big Apple later this year.
The SA champion trainer was understandably delighted with the four-year-old’s second in Saturday’s Dubai World Cup for which connections earned a $2m cheque.
As most pundits had predicted, victory in the richest race in the world went to the American raider, California Chrome, who started a well-backed favourite. The five-year-old is trained by Art Sherman and was ridden by Victor Espinoza who won by nearly four lengths despite his saddle slipping.
De Kock is a realist and knows Mubtaahij is unlikely to ever beat the American star. "We’ve run second to the best horse in the world now that American Pharoah has retired.
"I think he’s got a good race in him in America, but if California Chrome heads for the west coast, I’ll be heading for the east coast," he said.
South African punters were hoping that Harry’s Son and De Kock’s two runners, Forries Waltz and Ertijaal, would be competitive in the $6m Dubai Turf, but they failed to get a blow in with victory going to Ryan Moore’s mount, Real Steel. Nevertheless, full marks to Harry’s Son’s trainer, Paul Lafferty, for taking up the challenge in one of the richest turf races on the planet.
The De Kock yard looks set for a successful meeting at the Vaal today with Fursa, Tracy’s Legacy and Smart Mart having winning chances in their respective races.
Fursa, the mount of Callan Murray, has most appeal in the second race and can leave the maidens by beating Beckoning and Miss Whitefire.
Aussie-bred Tracy’s Legacy faces a tougher task in the third race as Geoff Woodruff’s runner Just A Reminder finished a creditable third last time out and should prove a tough opponent.
Smart Mart might well contest the finish of the final leg of the jackpot and warrants inclusion in all exotic bets.
Once again, the Woodruff yard should be to the fore with the two lightweights, Lord Windsor and Charanga, both having strong claims.
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