De Kock eyes Kentucky Derby

Mike de Kock could be represented with his first ever runner in the Run for the Roses after the South African trainer decided to enter UAE 2000 Guineas Trial winner Mubtaahij (Ire)(Dubawi {Ire}). The Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum color-bearer is now targeting the G2 UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup night, Mar. 28, the only qualifying race for the Churchill Downs showpiece outside the US.
   Mubtaahij had two runs in the UK as a juvenile and opened his account in good style at Meydan on New Year’s eve in a dirt maiden. He doubled up in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, Jan. 15, winning by five lengths from his stablemate Ajwaad (Arg), with favorite Maftool back in third.
   De Kock commented on his website, “Mubtaahij has shown enough promise to be considered a good UAE Derby candidate. On the strength of that, and considering the entry deadline, we decided to put his name down. This is one of the greatest races in the world. It’s a dream for all us, a first venture and we’ll see how things unfold.” The South African conditioner added, “Mubtaahij will have to step up to the plate.  We’ll have to test him against the strongest in Dubai to see if he has the mettle to compete in a race like the Kentucky Derby but racing is made of dreams and we’ve done our initial bit to make the journey possible.  Mubtaahij will probably have to win the UAE Derby to have a good chance of securing a run.”