MIKE and his team in Dubai will saddle ten runners across two meetings to be held at Meydan Racecourse this weekend and good results are expected.
The highlight is the Zabeel Mile (Gr 2) a $US250,000 event over 1600m on turf, on Thursday and the stable’s Viscount Nelson (Kevin Shea up, photo, blue-and-grey silks) has a winning chance.
Mike said: “Viscount Nelson is very fit and well and the soundest I’ve seen him. He received a penalty for his last win. We’re leaving him in over 1600m, it’s easier on him and although he is better over further, we’re expecting him to go well. His last run was impressive.”
He was also bullish about Irish Flame, who will be lining up in a 2810m contest on turf under Christophe Soumillon. “I haven’t had Irish Flame better and fitter,” he assessed. “I’m confident he will stay the trip and he should run a big race.”
Disa Leader (Johnny Geroudis) and Jardim (Shea), open the evening in a 2000m race on the all weather track, both coming off good placed performances last week.
“It’s not ideal to be running them together, but this is the last roll of the dice, their last chance to win at the Carnival. They are fit and well, have eachway chances and we have to run them. They came out of last week’s races very well,” Mike said.
It’s a similar state of affairs for Warsaw and Casual Glimpse, in a 1400m race on the all-weather – a last chance to make the frame and earn their way at the Carnival, both in with chances of sorts.
Tawakul (IRE) is first out for the stable on Saturday, to be ridden by Mickael Barzalona in a 1900m race on the all-weather surface. “Her work is very good and she could make drastic improvement, she can make the frame,” said Mike.
Enjoy Dubai (Shea), has not made much progress in work and the stable is only hoping for some improvement in a 1200m race on the all-weather.
Rerouted (Shea) and Anaerobio (Mirco Demura), will go to post in a turf race over 2000m and Mike commented: “Again it’s a case of no more races left for them so we’re taking our chances here. It’s a third week in a row racing for Rerouted but he is well. Anaerobio is better on turf and fit, should also run a fair race.”
1 Comment
Does Trainor Mike De Koch have any thoughts of entering any of his horses in training in the Kentucky
Derby this May, of 2012? Thanks fo rthe time and consideration