THURSDAY sees the first of this week’s Double Header at Meydan and eight of Mike de Kock’s runners will contest the meeting.
The stable’s best chance of a winner might come in Race 5, a Handicap over 1400m on turf in which free-striding runners Mastermind (Paul Hanagan) and Banaadeer (AUS) (Dane O’Neill), go to post along with Mutamakkin (Wayne Smith).
“Mastermind and Banaadeer are both extremely well,” Mike noted. “They have similar styles of running, they want to be up with the pace and Mastermind needs cover. Banaadeer almost kept going to beat Anaerobio last time, he enjoyed this trip, so both are bound to be involved at the serious end of the race. We were disappointed when Mutamakkin finished downfield last time, but he pulled up with respiratory noises and we got on top of that. He has a big chance at best.”
Banaadeer (white blinkers, right), could go one better this time. (Andrew Watkins).
Al Mashooqa (Hanagan) gets an opportunity to build on her recent improvement in the Listed Meydan Classic over 1400m on turf. “She’s coming along the right way now, she has a place chance,” said Mike.
Stable newcomer Vale Dori (ARG) (Christophe Soumillon), a daughter of Asiatic Boy, finds herself in a three-runner UAE Oaks over 1900m on dirt and is assured of earning a stake, but she has to face the unbeaten Polar River and Mike commented: “Vale Dori is a very talented but problematic filly, she had a setback when she came to us earlier in the Carnival. She’s enjoyed a good last few weeks, she is well but comes off a layoff and with the champion Polar River in the race it won’t be easy. We’ll see where we stand with her.”
In the Nad Al Sheba Trophy (2810m on turf, Race 8), Tellina (Ryan Moore) and Star Empire (Soumillon), will race against a host of seasoned Carnival stayers and they have chances in an open contest.
“Star Empire is still as well as ever, he likes the track and trip and has as good a chance as any. Tellina will be trying more ground, his work is good and his heart rates suggest that he will enjoy the extra ground. When he raced in South Africa he ran on well every time he was tried beyond 2000m, so we’re hoping for a good showing.”
Whistle Stop is another talented but problematic sort – he gets a run in a handicap over 2000m on turf and O’Neill gets the ride. “Whistle Stop has the ability, he ran a cracker to Sanshaawes over the course and distance back in January and on that he has a money chance.”
3 Comments
Thanks Mike another great write up from your Editor, i wish you the best of good luck today, I do however like the chances of Kanaf 16/1 ..5.20 against your two Banadeer and Mastermind, both drawn very wide so will need to either slot in or lose ground and energy getting forward, i make my own figures and handicap which i do well at especially on your South African Races,
here are my figures for this race top half dozen
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drawn .6 ) Kanaf 125 includes 6 pounds allowance for good apprentice from UK measurements, NEW MARK **131 ** pounds Top rated on my handicap
,
drawn 13 )Banadeer 125
drawn 11 ) Mastermind 125
drawn drawn 4 FILS ANGEL 124
drawn 14 ) dark emerald 123,
over this trip of 1400 meters 6 pounds or 2.75. kilos equates to 1 length over this trip
you cannot rule out either Mastermind or Banadeer even improving on there latest runs so theoretically they are both worth small save bets for any one who likes to bet these horses…
if these were translated to S.A Merit ratings they would read:
MASTERMIND 105
DARK EMERALD 104
FIL ANGES 104
BANADEER 103
KANAF 99
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UK ratings
DARK EMERALD 109
MASTERMIND108
FILS ANGES 109
BANADEER 106
KANAF 101
the reason KANAF comes out best on my figures is because this is a handicap and he gets a weight allowance , Obviously there are world ratings and local ratings for each horse , if you are a good handicapper like myself you can make up your own formula based on official and recent and this is what i do,
Regards. STEPHEN Nott
sorry i meant 6 pounds equates to 2 lengths that was a mistake i never saw
I think Star Empire is a big runner at the weights, Tellina (unknown at this trip) and Sheikhzayedroad are the dangers………………I would go for a double (Euro Charline and Star Empire………..).
Regards,