Last year’s Gr2 Peninsula Handicap winner Light The Lights makes his international debut for Mike de Kock on the seven race Meydan programme on Thursday evening.
Light The Lights – seen winning the Gr2 Peninsula Handicap
The 11-meeting 2017 Dubai World Cup Carnival starts on 5 January and is headlined by Round 1 of the Al Maktoum Challenge.
One of eight runners flor Blue Stables, Light The Lights, formerly trained by Glen Kotzen, is a son Western Winter and makes his debut in the 1800m $175 000 Listed Singspiel Stakes on the turf.
He will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon. The gelding ran a nice fourth in the J&B Met behind Smart Call in his final start in SA.
Mike de Kock – has a decent string
De Kock, renowned internationally as the most successful international trainer at the Carnival, will be keen to put a less than sparkling last season well behind him, after he had one of the worst Dubai World Cup Carnival campaigns he has experienced since racing moved from Nad Al Sheba to Meydan for the 2010 season.
He saddled just 10 winners from 89 runners, with Forries Waltz’ win in the Gr2 Al Rashidiya his only major winner .
The multiple SA champion has done some serious regrouping though with the acquisition of dirt and turf performers to bolster his string of 30.
