NINE runners from Mike de Kock’s stable have been invited to contest various races on Dubai World Cup night, 31 March 2012.

Masterofhounds will represent the yard in this year’s US$10-million Dubai World Cup over 2000m on the all-weather track at Meydan.

The five-year-old by Kingmambo won last week’s Jebel Hatta over 1800m with a start-to-finish performance and Mike said:  “We’ve accepted the invite to the World Cup and Masterofhounds will be switched from turf to the all-weather as he has done well on this surface. After Bold Silvano’s disappointing run last week we decided to go with a runner that is suited to the all-weather. Masterofhounds’will be owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s runner for his biggest home event this year.”

Bold Silvano, considered better on turf,  will be switched to the Dubai Sheema Classic over 2410m, joined by top filly Mahbooba, who wasn’t raced on Super Saturday as she was coughing but is well now and on target for the race.

Bold Silvano got his tongue over the bit in the Al Maktoum Challenge (Round 3) on Super Saturday and Mike noted that bits of the Tapeta track was found in his trachea on examination after the race, a reason for him choking up in the running.

The stable will field a formidable pair in Mutahadee and Musir in the Gr 1 Dubai Duty Free over 1800m on turf, a race Mike has won twice before.

War Artist, beaten just over three lengths in Super Saturday’s Meydan Sprint, has been invited to race in the Al Quoz Sprint over 1000m on turf.

Irish Flame will take his place in the Dubai Gold Cup over 3200m on turf and could be joined by Zanzamar. Mike commented: “We’re waiting for Sheikh Hamdan’s advice on Zanzamar. The Sheema Classic is another possibility for him.”

Finally there is improving Mickdaam, who will be out to give Mike his sixth winner in the UAE Derby over 1900m on the All Weather.

Photo: Musir, seen winning the Al Rashidiya, will take his chances in the Dubai Duty Free on World Cup night. (Andrew Watkins).