Trainer Mike de Kock has been highly successful during the Dubai Racing Carnival, but the South African trainer has yet to win the $200,000 G3 Dubai Millennium S. Conducted over 2000 metres on the Meydan turf, de Kock sends out both South African Grade 2 winner Light The Lights (SAf) (Western Winter) and Al Sahem (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}) to correct this record gap. Both are Sheikh Mohd bin Kalifa Al Maktoum runners, with the former saluting second up in a handicap over course and distance on Jan. 18, before running fourth most recently in the G2 Al Rashidiya behind Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) on Feb. 1. Christophe Soumillion has chosen Light The Lights as his mount, while G1 Durban July runner-up Al Sahem–last in the Al Rashidiya–receives the services of Colm O'Donoghue.
The Godolphin colourbearers are anchored by MG1SW Folkswood (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) from the Charlie Appleby barn, while Feb. 8 local handicap hero Leshlaa (Street Cry {Ire}), listed winner Team Talk (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), and MGSP Carry on Deryck (GB) (Halling) from the Saeed bin Suroor yard round out the foursome. Only a neck behind MG1SW Decorated Knight (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday last March, Folkswood was twice group placed from three starts when returned to England, but revisited the winner's circle in the Listed Cranbourne Cup at Cranbourne in Australia in October. Third later that month in the G1 Cox Plate behind Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), he was fifth in the G1 Emirates S. at Flemington on Nov. 11.
“His run behind Winx was probably his best yet and he then ran well in the Emirates S.,” Appleby told the Meydan notes team. “He is in good form and however he goes, this should put him spot on for the Jebel Hatta.”
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