ANDRE (left) and son Ian Hauptfleisch arrived in Dubai on Wednesday morning ahead of champion mare Via Africa’s run in Saturday’s Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint over 1000m on turf, on World Cup night at Meydan.

They visited Mike de Kock’s stables and Andre, who owns Via Africa with Albert Boshoff, said: “I am excited about the race, I get gooseflesh just thinking about Saturday. Via Africa looks beautiful, her coat is good. She tends to go a bit darker on the side of her neck and on her hindquarters when she’s fit and well and that’s the way it is, those dark patches are on her and we can’t wait to see her in action!”

Andre bred Via Africa from Avontuur Stud’s stallion VAR and his only mare Bump ‘N Grind and he said of the 10-time winning sprinter: “She’s given us so much pleasure and we’re proud to be here supporting her.”

Mike de Kock commented: “We were very pleased with her run on Super Saturday. She would have needed it but showed a lot of speed before really battling on in the final 200m. She has improved a lot since that outing and should be a player in an open race.”

Christophe Soumillon will be shedding a few kilograms to take the ride on Via Africa and jockey Johnny Geroudis reported: “I spoke to Christophe. He is working at dropping down to 55kg. He arrives here in Dubai on Friday and expects his weight to be spot-on.”