THIS photo of Mike de Kock in the training paddock at the old Nad Al Sheba racetrack in Dubai dates back to 2004, when jockey Weichong Marwing was riding for the stable, Mike’s hair had a proportionately darker shade and a tad more substance and photographer Andrew Watkins was still an eligible bachelor supplying hi-resolution photos. The horse in the photo is unknown, while the dude with his back to the camera is assistant trainer Trevor “Leroy” Brown. Some would argue that the photo shows his best side.

Those were the days but guess what, Dubai’s best week is upon us again. People look slightly different now and Nad Al Sheba has changed to Meydan, but the racing action will be coming thick and fast and mdkracing.com’s editor Charl Pretorius will be on the spot from midweek next week with some fresh news and photos. That is, if he can stand up straight and can manage to avoid the loony bin.