THE official pre-World Cup Carnival meetings at Meydan came to an end with an extra meeting held on Friday and at which Mike de Kock won two handicaps on dirt.

Alareef (Paul Hanagan) completed a good 2016 campaign with a hard-fought win over 1200m, showing his versatility and making it two wins and two places from five starts this term.

Alareef (nearest camera), hard-fought win. (Andrew Watkins).

Baroot (GB) (Wayne Smith) stormed over seven lengths clear in a 1400m handicap under Wayne Smith, posting his own second won from five 2016 Carnival runs.

“Alareef is a South African-bred by Summerhill Stud’s Stronghold and Shadwell-owned by Sheikh Hamdan.  Dubai remains a profitable place to race and we’ve shown so often how the relatively cheap South African runners can come here and earn good stakes – a Maiden Plate can be worth near half a million rands, you don’t get that anywhere else,” said Mike.

“Baroot has shown some promise but we were still surprised by the easy way he won. At this rate of improvement he could be a prospect for next season. Well done to Sheik Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.”

Mike concluded: “Thanks to the Dubai Racing Club for another good season and for staging Friday’s meeting which gave some additional chances for horses to compete at Meydan this year. Now for World Cup night!”

Baroot (Wayne Smith) returns to winner’s circle.