SEVEN former South African runners destined for the 2018 Dubai Racing Carnival have arrived in the UAE and will be spending a few days in quarantine before joining Mike de Kock’s Blue Stables at Meydan.

 Bold Rex, Icy Trail, Al Sahem, Smiling Blue Eyes, Janoobi and Belle Rose will be racing for Mike this term, while 2017 Sun Met winner Whisky Baron will also be based at Blue Stables but will race for his original trainer, Brett Crawford.

Icy Trail in work at Newmarket.

Mike commented:  “They all travelled well from Newmarket in the UK.  Bold Rex and Icy Trial were sent to Newmarket early and along with Whisky Baron they have done a lot of work and are the fittest of the bunch.

“Icy Trail is a new acquisition who won six races for Candice Bass-Robinson.  He looks a tough and decent sort, in the mould of some of our quality desert runners like Sanshaawes and Light The Lights. Bold Rex is a handicapper on the up and he, too, can do well here.

“Al  Sahem and company arrived via Mauritius later than the others and are behind in fitness levels, but I’m not going to rush them. We’ll race them into form next year.”