The Apache And Igugu In Dubai
| The Apache And Igugu In Dubai |
Tabnews.co.za reports that South Africa’s globe-trotting champion trainer Mike de Kock has jetted off to Dubai to oversee his international raiding party’s preparations for the 2013 Dubai World Cup Carnival.
The Carnival comprises 11 race meetings culminating in Dubai World Cup on 30 March, when the nine Graded races carded include the world’s richest race, the $10-million Dubai World Cup, and two $5-million events in the Dubai Sheema Classic and the Dubai Duty Free.
The Dubai World Cup Carnival starts on Thursday 10 January and carries record total prize money of $37-million.
Igugu who was raised and grazed at Summerhill Stud, was Horse Of The Year in South Africa in 2011 when her victories included the Vodacom Durban July, is undoubtedly the general of De Kock’s Dubai army. The Apache, bred by Scott Bros, will be joining her.
Igugu’s long and arduous road to Dubai World Cup 2013 began back in June with a 20-day stint in the Cape quarantine station followed by a five-hour flight to Mauritius, where she spent 90 days along with the other 13 members of De Kock’s raiding party.
That was followed by a month in England and the weary travellers final arrived in the desert last month for a final short stint in the Dubai quarantine station before getting down to work for the Carnival.
“The journey to Dubai was a nightmare,” says De Kock. “Fortunately with the exception of Emotif they all came through it reasonably well and I’m happy with them. They should be right for the Carnival next month.”
Igugu, sidelined since winning the J&B Met back in January, can target any of the 1800m Duty Free, the 2400m Sheema Classic (both on turf) and the Dubai World Cup on the synthetic track at the world’s richest race meeting at the end of March, although the Duty Free is probably the race she will run in.
“My first choice is to keep her on turf, but we will see how she trains on the synthetic track before finalising our options,” De Kock said.
The other South Africans who made the trip with Igugu include dual Grade 1 winner The Apache, formerly trained in South Africa by Gavin Van Zyl.
The Apache’s target at this point is the Dubai Duty Free, but he’s likely to start out in the first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge on the synthetic (all-weather) track. I’m not sure he will go on the all-weather track, but we’ll see.”
The Apache, by Mogok out of Apache Rose by Dolpour was an R80 000 Emperor’s Palace National Yearling Sale graduate, has a half-brother by Overlord(AUS) named Lord Rose, who recently finished a very close second over 1600m at Clairwood from his first three starts. He is trained by Doug Campbell and owned by Messrs A Sukhraj & S Sukhraj, Douglas Campbell & breeder Robin Scott.
Another half-sister by Cataloochee named Paradise Square, trained by Mike De Kock has produced a win and three places from six starts – her win at Scottsville by almost seven lengths over 1600m.
St John Gray’s five-time Grade 1 winner Dancewiththedevil has arrived safely in the UK. We look forward to the performances of these KZN-breds flying the flag overseas!
Written by Robert Garner, News extract www.tabnews.co.za
