MUBTAAHIJ is the big hope for South African connections at Saturday’s 20^th Dubai World Cup meeting to be staged at Meydan.

The Irish-bred three-year-old colt comes into the Gr2 $US2-million UAE Derby over 1900m on dirt off three wins from six starts, including a course-and-distance win in the Listed Al Bastakiya on Super Saturday.

Since its inception in 2000, the UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, has been pretty much dominated by Mike de Kock and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Godolphin. Prior to the victory of the Aidan O’Brien-trained Daddy Long Legs in 2012, only Mike and trainer Saeed Bin Suroor had actually registered a victory in the race.

Mubtaahij has a lot going for him and could pave the way to the Kentucky Derby. (Andrew Watkins)

“Mubtaahij has gone from strength to strength this season and relishes this kind of trip, said Mike. It looks a competitive renewal with the Godolphin duo we have already seen to be more than useful, as well as several we have not come across from America, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Europe. All I know is my horse is in good form and a genuine stayer at this trip on a surface he handles well. I personally don’t like the inside draw for this race but we’ll take the race as it comes.”

Christophe Soumillon will ride Mubtaahij for the first time and ensure he will be at his lowest riding weight all year, significant for a few reasons, not least that the UAE Derby represents the stable’s first big chance to have a runner in the Kentucky Derby.

“We’d love to win because we’d love to go to Kentucky,” Mike said on Thursday. If Mubtaahij wins, he’ll definitely qualify for the race and if he finishes second he’ll have more than an average chance of getting in so we’re all very excited. It’s always been a dream for us to run for the roses and I know one should never get your hopes up too high, but we’re keeping all fingers crossed!”

Maftool is doing very well at home,” said Bin Suroor of the runner that narrowly defeated Mubtaahij earlier this season. “We think he is improving all the time and Paul Hanagan, who again rides him, has been riding him regularly. It is a strong race but the extra trip should suit and he has a good chance.”

Mubtaahij beat Godolphin new recruit, Sir Fever (URU), star horse of Uruguay and winner of his homeland’s triple crown, in the Al Bastakiya but Mike expects him to have improved for this race.

Sir Fever is now trained by Charlie Appleby, who said: “I was very pleased with his first run and it gave William Buick a great opportunity to get to know him in a race scenario. We have added blinkers and a shadow roll to try to aid his concentration.”

 Almoonqith: Big runner!

Almoonqith, Mushreq and Star Empire will race for Mike’s stable in the Dubai Gold Cup (Gr 2) and Mike said: “I was really impressed by Almoonqith’s win in the prep race. Remember, he had the speed to win over 1600m in January and, for a stayer, he has a very valuable turn of foot. He is a big runner.

“Mushreq needs to prove his stamina, while Star Empire ran better behind Almoonqith last time. He was third in this last year and can hopefully collect another cheque.”

Other previews elsewhere on home page.

*Saftote will be operating full betting facilities on Saturday’s $30 million Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan, which includes a host of exotic bets.