Trainer Mike de Kock has been nothing short of dominant in Meydan's G2 Al Rashidiya in recent years. The South African has won eight renewals in total including the last five straight, all of those having been ridden by Christophe Soumillon and four in the silks of owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum. That trio relies on Light The Lights (SAf) (Western Winter) on Thursday to add to their haul in the 1800 metre turf contest. The 5-year-old, a Group 2 winner in his native country last January for trainer Glen Kotzen before entering quarantine to ship to Dubai, won the Listed Singspiel S. over this track and trip on his local debut Jan. 5. The form of that race was franked last week when the runner-up Championship (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) took the G2 Al Fahidi Fort.
“He delighted us on the first night and has come on for that run,” said De Kock. “That form has worked out particularly well with Championship winning last week and we are very hopeful of a big run on Thursday.”
De Kock's perennial archrival in the trainers' standings, Saeed bin Suroor, sends out Promising Run (Hard Spun) for Godolphin. The 2015 G2 Rockfel S. winner had to settle for second behind the 'TDN Rising Star' and standout of her generation Polar River (Congrats) in two local runs last season. She won Turkey's G3 Istanbul Trophy in September and, after finishing fourth in Newmarket's Listed Rosemary S. Sept. 23, was a distant 11th in the G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S. Oct. 15.
“Promising Run always tries her very best and is thriving here in Dubai,” said bin Suroor. “Obviously it is a tough race but the trip should suit and we are hoping for a big run.”
Francis Rohaut sends out Qatar Racing's Mr Owen (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) off a win in Deauville's Listed Prix Lyphard over a half-furlong longer than this on the all-weather Nov. 30. Elite Excalibur (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) was a tame fifth in his local debut Jan. 5, but the gelding boasts promising overseas form. Fourth in last year's G1 Australian Guineas and fifth in the G1 Rosehill Guineas for trainer Gai Waterhouse, Elite Excalibur was transferred to Singapore trainer Steven Burridge after the Australian autumn and won over seven furlongs at Kranji Nov. 20.
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